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Darlington M^orial Library
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lank -.- ^^-^^-
HISTORY
5Ly.
or THE
r
MISSION
OF THE
IJNTTED BRETHREN
AMONG THE
Indians in North Anierica,
IN THREE PARTS.
BY
GEORGE HENRY LOSKIEI./?^ -
TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN
BT CHRISTIAN IGNATIUS LA TROBE.
LONDON :
PRINTED FOR THE BRETHREN'S SOCIETY FOR THE
FURTHERANCE OF THE GOSPEL:
SOLD AT No. lo, NEVIVS COURT, FETTER LANE ;
AND BY JOHN SXOCKDALE, OPPOSITE BURLINGTON HOUSE,
PICCADILLY.
-^79^'
^^
•^ ' tl ^
f^
^1^"^
^
i?"¥f
.<;^
A
r
TO
ALL
^ IN EVERY DENOMINATION,
1 1* i WHO LOVE THE
^ 1^ LORD JESUS CHRIST
g ^- IN SINCERITY,
^ND REJOICE AT THE INCREASE OF HIS KINGDOM,
o
. --- THIS ACCOUNT OF THE
^ ^ EFFECTS OF THE GOSPEL
^ AMONG THE
f^Ni INDIANS IN NORTH AMERICA,
IS HUMBLY DEDICATED
BY
J
^ THE TRANSLATOR.
bo "' , -
rHE rRANSLATOR'S
PREFACE.
A TRANSLATION of the following Hlflory
of the Miffion of ihe United Brethren among
the North American Indians has been much wiflied
for by our Brethren and friends, both in England
and America, ever fmce its publication in the Ger-
man language. Several circumftances have pre-
vented a fpeedy compliance with this general wifh,
but in the end, the delay occafioned in the comple-
tion of the work, however regretted, has tended
to its improvement, as feveral obfervations and
amendments fuggefled by the Author and our North
American miffionarles have been carefully attended
to in the tranflation.
Inbehalf of the tranflation itfelf, I fhall only remark,
that I have endeavoured to convey the Author's mean-
ing in fuch language, as I thought mofl intelligible. A
tranflator can never be fully fatisfied with his work,
and in revifmg the prefs, I have frequently wilhed it
had been in my power to have given to one or other
paragraph a better turn. I may have erred in fome
terms
vi TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE.
terms and exprellions peculiar to America, though f
have endeavoured to avoid it by inquiry. To fome
friends, who Idndly affifled in the revifion of the ma-
jiufcript, I owe many obligations, and fliould (land
yet more indebted, had they not fpared me too much.
Every error, or propofed amendment, which my
readers may (liil point out, will ferve to improve a
fecond edition, if it ever ihould be wanted.
I hadfeveral doubts as, tq the fpelling of the Indian
names, and perhaps fhould have done better to
have adopted that mode, which to an Englifh reader
might have been moft convenient. But as I could
not be quite pofitive, in what manner our mif-
fionaries, moft of v/hom are Germans, might have
cxprefled Indian founds by European letters, I
thought it fafefl, to adhere to the fpelling of my
Author, and the miffionaries. As to the German
manner of pronunciation, I will only obferve, that
ifc/j is always pronounced like a ch, andy?/?, like sh ;
c/j is with them a guttural, for which perhaps a k
may be the beft fubftitute ; for inflance, Tfchechfche"
quanninky P. III. p. 2)^^ is pronounced by our Ger-
man niiffionaries, Chekfhequaimink. Now and then
1 have varied a little, for inflance, put an aw to
ex}^refs ihe broad a of the Germans, &c.
The annexed map I received from our Brethren
in North America, it being their wifh that a map of
thofe parts, in which our Indian congregations dwelt,
might be added to the work. Though it may not
be moft fcrupuloufly accurate as to the fituation of
the Indian places here defcribed, for want of proper
furveys in fo great a wildernefs, yet it gives as good
an idea of the many emigrations of our Indian
congre-
Translator's preface. tu
congregations, as could pofiibiy be colle<5led froni
the fituation of the rivers and lakes they paffed,
or near which they fettled.
I have added a copious Index, which I hope will
prove ufeful.
If my readers receive the fame degree of plea-
fare and bleffing which I have often done In tranf-
lating and revifmg this Hiflory, and are by the per-
iifal of It excited to contemplate the work of God
in the hearts of the heathen with the fame adonifli-
ment and adoration, and to join me and my Bre-
thren in prayer for its fuccefs, I am richly ."ewarded
for any trouble I have had in laying it before them.
The profits arifmg from the fale, if any, will be ap-
plied towards the fupport of the miffions by the Bre-
thren's Society for the Furtherance of the Gofpel, in
London, by whom it is publiflied,
London,
September 20th, 1794.
PREFACE
OF
r H E AUTHOR,
AMONG the MIffions hitherto eftabliflied by the
church of the United Brethren,, the Miffion
among the Indians in North America is unqueftion-
ably one of the mod remarkable, whether we con-
fider the various changes it has undergone, or the
nations, which are its objeft.
Its Hiftory contains the mofl flriking events.
The Miffion, almofl from the very beginning, meets
with many, and even feme very aftive enemies. We
behold it often violently alTailed with unabating
cruelty; fuffering under continual troubles the
mofl grievous afflidions, with long, and even bloody
perfecutions ; and fubjed to fuch frequent and ex-
traordinary viciffitudes, that the Indian Congre-
gation may well be ftyled a flock of pilgrims j yet
the almighty hand of God fo proteds it, that when
it feems almofl vanquifhed, it rifes again triumphant,
through his power.
Part I. A The
% AUTHOR'S PREFACE.
The heathen nations, with whom the MifEonarie$
are here engaged, are more remarkable for their
ferocity, obflinacy, and hardnefs of heart, than all
other nations of the earth, and yet the power of the
word of atonement conquers their unbroken and in-
flexible difpofitionSo
The aim in laying the Hiftory of this Miffion before
the Public, is to place thefe marvellous truths in fuch
a point of view, that the name of God and our Lord
and Savior Jefus Chrift may be glorified. For the
truth of the Gofpel can never be more firmly eflablifh-
ed than by living witneffes, who of themfelves prove,
that Jefus Chrifl is come into the world to fave
fmners, and that He verily faves all thofe, who come
unto God by him.
The more I am convinced of this by experience,
the greater was my pleafure in undertaking, by defirq
of my Brethren; to write a Hiftory, fo replete with
happy inftances, confirming this truth.
But in order to inform my readers of the chara£ter
of the Indian nations in their natural ftate, I thought
it neceifary to introduce a fliort preliminary ac-
count of thofe tribes, with which our Miffionaries
have been more intimately acquainted, defcribing
their manner of living, their cuftoms, political confti-
tution, and condud in peace and war. The few re-
marks occafionally added concerning beafts, plants,
and foffils, refer only to the Indian country.
As to the materials from which this account is
compofed, I owe great obligations to our venerable
•Bifliop Auguftus Gottlieb Spangenberg, who refided
many years in North America, and ftill more to the
MiiTionary David Zeifl)ergcr, who has now ferved
that
AUTHOR'S PREFACE. x»
that MilTion upwards of forty years fucceflively,
and whofe veracity is unqueftionable. I have like-
wife confulted Dodor Robertfon's Hifliory of
America, Captain Carver's Travels through the in-
terior Parts of America, and Mr. Leifte's Defcrip-
tion of the Britilh Dominions in North America,
but fo far only as their copious and explicit account
perfe£lly agreed with the teflimony of the above-
mentioned authorities. It affords particular fatif-
fadion to me, that, before this work went to the
prefs, it underwent a careful revifion, and was ap-
proved by Bifliop Spangenberg and other worthy
men, feveral of whom had been in North America,
and refided in the Indian country. Its chief worth
therefore lies in its veracity.
As to the hiftory of the Miffion itfelf, I have
been favored with the moft authentic accounts^
journals, and letters of the Miffionaries themfelves,
and of others, who have been employed in this work
of God, from the archives of the Unity of the Bre-
thren. My principal concern was to write the trut;h,
and nothing but the truth, and therefore I have
not cad a veil over the miflakes, which have been
made in conducting the Miffion. It muft be ob-
vious to every reader, that I have not made neat-
nefs and elegance of diflion fo much my fludy, as
concifenefs, plainnefs, and a language perfedly in-
telligible, even to the illiterate.
I have not been able to fucceed In my endeavours
to procure an accurate map of the countries in which
the Miffion was fituated, partly becaufe I could not
fmd any maps of North America to be relied upon,
and
xu AUTHOR'S PREFACE.
and did not chufe to republifh one that was inac-
curate ; and partly becaufe the Indian Congregation
emigrated fo often, and dwelt in countries fo far
diflant from each other, that it would have been
impradticable to reprefent all their fettlcments in a
map of a fmall fize, and many maps would have too
much increafed the price of the work
I would willingly have finiftied this work fooner,
for it was already ann6unced to the Public in the
year 1784, by the Hon. John Jacob de Mofer, (late
counfellor to the King of Denmark, in his work en-
titled, " North America, agreeably to thCiTreaties
'' of Peace in 1783^" but I was prevented by a variety
of other avocations. The Hiftory has however loft
nothing by this delay, as I am enabled to continue it
down to the middle of the year 1787.
I take this opportunity publicly to exprefs my gra-
titude to all and each of thofe friends who have in
the lead affifted me.
Finally, I pray the Lord that he would lay his
blefling upon my unworthy labors, for the glory of
his holy name.
Strickenhof in Livonia,
May 2d, 1788.
GEORGE HENRT LOSKIEb,
!
1
xit AUTHOR'S PREFACE.
and did not chufe to republifh one that was inac-
curate ; and partly becaufe the Indian Congregation
emigrated fo often, and dwelt in countries fo far
dillant from each other, that it would have been
impracticable to reprefent all their fettlements in a
map of a fmall fize, and many maps would have too
much increafed the price of the work
I would willingly have finilhed this work fooner,
for it was already ann6unced to the Public in the
year 1784, by the Hon. John Jacob de Mofer, flate
counfellor to the King of Denmark, in his work en-
titled, " North America, agreeably to the;Treaties
*' of Peace in 1 783 ;" but I was prevented by a variety
of other avocations. The Hiftory has however loft
nothing by this delay, as I am enabled to continue it
down to the middle of the year 1787.
I take this opportunity publicly to exprefs my gra-
titude to all and each of thofe friends who have in
the leaft aflifted me.
Finally, I pray the Lord that he would lay his
blefling upon my unworthy labors, for the glory of
his holy name.
Strickenhof in Livonia,
May 2d, 1788.
GEORGE EIENRT LOS KIEL.
t
HISTORY
OF THE
MISSION
OF THE
UNITED BRETHREN
AMONG THE
Indians in North America.
PART I.
CHAPTER I.
Hints concerning the Origin of the Indian Nations,
Afiimmary View of the?n, and of their Country.
THE firft Europeans who came to North America found
this immenfe continent inhabited by numerous nations,
all of whom are comprehended under the general name of
Indians. Their numbers have been often over-rated, owing to
the different names frequently given to one nation.
As to their origin, there is no certainty. The invefti'ga-
tions even of the mod learned have produced nothing but
conje£lures more or lefs probable j nor will I detain my
readers with a repetition, much lefs enter into a review of
them.
Thofe feem to be neareft the truth who join the cele-
brated Dr. Robertfon, in fuppofing Tartary in Afia to be the
native country of all the American Indian nations. But it
Part I. B i,
a Of the Tndidn Nations, P. I.
is my intention to confine myfelf to an account of only
two of thefe nations, namely the Delaware and Iroquois.
The Deknvares are divided inlo three tribes. The I7;w-
mt are confidered as the head of the nation, the Wunalach^
t'lkos are next in rank, and then fpllow the Monfy.
The name JJelaivares was undoubtedly firft given to them by
the Europeans \ for they call themfelves Lennile7iape^ that, is,
Indian men ; ox V/oapanachhh that js, a people^ living towards
the rifing of the fun^ having formerly inhabited the eaftern
coaft of North America. This name is likewife given to
them by the other Indian nations.
The Iroqti^is have received their name from the French,
and mod hiftorians, vi'ho have written of them, make ufe
of it. But the Englifii call them the Six Nations, as they
now confift of fix nations in league with each other. For-
merly they- v/ere called the Five Nations^ five only being
joined in that alliance. But as we (hall fpeak of ttiem,
both ill their former and prefent Hate, I lliall f©r the fake
of perfpicuity confine myfelf to the name of Iroquois.
They call themfelves AqiUDuifchioni, that is, United People j
always to remind each other, that their fafety and power
confids in a mutual (Iricl adherence to their alliance.
Others call them Mingos, and fome Maquais. Thefe fix
confederate nations are the Mohaivhs, Oneida, Onondagg,
Cajugu, Scnneka, and Tiifcarora. ""The latter joined the con-
federacy about 70 years ago.
The reft of the nations either in league with the Dela-s
ivares and Iroquois, or connected with them by fome means
or other, are the MahVkans, ^haivanofe ^ - Cherokees, Tiuicht-
luees, Wawiachtanos, Kikaptis, Mojhkos, Tuka/has^ Chipa%uas„
Oitawas, Ftitewoatamcn, Nantikoks, Wyondats or HuroiiSy
Chaktatuas, Chikafaius, and Greek Indians, with fome other?,
whofe names are occafionally mentioned in this hiilory.
All thefe Indian nations live to thq^ wefl of New Eng-
land, New York, New JerTey, Pennfylvania, Maryland,
Virginia, North and South Carolina, and Georgia. But it
is diiTicult exactly to determine the boundaries of the difr
ferent
Cli. L pai-ti^vhrJy the DtJazuares and Iroqtioif. 3
iferent countries they inhabit, partly for want of good fur-
veys, and partly on account of the unfettlcd ftate of feme of -
the nations, and tlierefore their territories can only be de-
fcribed in a general way. The Delawares live about half
way between Lake Erie atid the river Ohio. The Iroquois
poflefs the country behind New Tork^ Pennfylvan'iay and
Maryland^ about the Lakes Erie and Ontario, extending
weftward to the Miffifippi and fouthward to the Ohio.
The Mohaivh Jive more to the call ward, are much mixed
with the white people *, and not numerous. Their neigh-
bors are the Oneida and Ttifcarora. Then follow in a line
from eaft to weft, the "OiiondagOy Cnjngu^ and Sentieha
tribes. The Mahikans are neighbors of the Iroquois. The
Shawanofe live below the Delaiuare^ towards the river
Ohio. The Wlondats and Hurons partly inhabit the country
on the weft coaft of Lake Erie near Sandulky Creek, partly
about Fort Detroit, between the Lakes Huron and Michigan.
The Ottaivas and Putetosjfnmen live alfo to the weft of
Lake Erie, but a great way beyond it. The JVawiachtauos
and Tiv'ichtioces refide chiefly between the rivers Sioto and
Wabafch, and the Kikapusy Mofchhs^ and Tiichachpmsy in-
habit the banks on both -fides the Wabafch, but are far
<liftant from each other. The Chipawas are a numerous na-
tion inhabiting the north coan. of Lake Erie. Some of the
Nafitihks live in Maryland, but by far the greater part of
this tribe retired firft to the Sufquehannah, and then further
Korth. The Cberolees inhabit the mountains K::hind North
Carolina, between the river Cherokee, which flows into the
Ohio, and South Carolina ; eaftv/ard of the Miffifippi. The
Chaktawas or Cntabas Wvt behind GeOrgIa on the banks of
the Miffifippi, and the Creels are neighbors of the
Cherokees and Chaktawas. TheyvUve behind the mountains
of Carolina and Georgia, and are divided into the Upper,
Middle, and Lower Creeks. Between the Creeks and Che-
* T!ui5 the E'lropeans n>Tl Mioir defcendants are caJied In Arnerica,
diftin^iiiPa them from the Indians,
^ z rokees.
4 ^f tJ^s Indian Counity. P. I.
rokees, more to the weftward on the eaft fide of theMiflifippi
are the Ciikafaws-, who inhabit both fides of the rivej Ch'ika-
faiv^ or Jafon River, which empties itfelf into the Miffifippi.
Among thefe Indians are fome negroes, who either were
taken captive in war, or ran away from their mailers, and
fought fafety among the Indians.
I fhall defer mentioning the manner in which the Dela-
wares and, Iroquois are connected, both with each other,
and with the above-mentioned nations, until I treat of
their hiftory and conftitution, and content myfelf at pre-
fent with giving fome account of the country they in-
habit,
This includes the large lakes, to be defer ibed hereafter,
and lies between the 37ch and 48th degree of north lati-
tude and the 77th and 92d weft longitude, from the meri-
dian of London; its length being about eight hundred, and
its greateft breadth eleven hundred miles. It is bounded
- by New York and Pennfylvania on the eaft ; by the river
Ohio, fouth -, by the river Miffifippi, weft ; and by Canada,
north. This part of America is remarkably well watered,
having large brooks, rivers, and lakes, by which an inland
communication is rendered eafy. The above-mentioned,
chain of large lakes is very remarkable, and a moft magni-
ficent difplay of the works of the Almighty. Their fize
might entitle fome of them to the name of inland oceans of
frejh ivater. The largeft is Lake Superior^ fituated between
the 46th and 50th degree of north latitude and the B4th and
93d of weft longitude. Lake Superior may be juftly deemed
the largeft lake in America, if not in the whole world,
unlefs there (hould exift any larger lake in that part of
North America,- into wliich no European has as yet pene-
trated •, its circumference, including all the bays, is com-
puted at fixteen hundred miles. Captain Carver fays, that
he traverfed above twelve hundred miles over this lake, and
found the bed moftly a folidrock. The water is very clear, and
almoft as tranfparent- as the air. If the fun fliincs bright,
it is impoffible through this medium to look at the rocks at
2 the
Ch.L Of the Indian Coufitry. $
the bottom, above a minute or two. The water has alfo
this property, that though the fuperficies is much warmed
by the heat of the fun, yet when drawn up at about a
fathom depth, it is as cold as ice. Storms rage in this
lake here as upon the ocean, and the waves rife nearly as
high, fo as to endanger the largeft fhips. Many rivers
empty themfelves into this lake, but I will only make
mention of one, which falls from an height of fix hundred
feet perpendicular, and appears at a diftance like a white
ftreak in the air, its ftream being very narrow*
Lake Huron is the next in magnitude, and joined to the
former by a natural channel called the Straits of St. Marie.
It lies between the 4 2d and 46th degree north latitude and
the 79th and 85th weft longitude, is almoft triangular in
fliape, and about one thoufand miles in circumference.
Among its other curiofities, is a bay called Thunder-bay.
The Indians and Europeans have given it this name, on
account of the continual thunder and lightning prevailing
there.
To this, Lake Michigan is joined by the Straits of MI-
chlllimakinack. It is fituated between the 42d and 46th
degree of north latitude and 85th and 87th of weft longi-
tude, and about five hundred miles in circumference. A
chain of fmall iflands runs through it, which have a beautiful
appearance.
Lake Erie is alfo connecled with Lake Huron by a long
and broad channel. The iilands in Lake Erie are infefted
by ferpents, among which the hilling fnake and rattlefnake
are the moft remarkable. The latter are more numerous
here, than in any other part of America.
Lake Ontario is joined by the river Niagara to the former.
It lies between the 43d and 45th degree of north -latitude
and the 76th and 79th weft longitude, in a direftion from
north-eaft to fouth-weft^ being an oblong of about five .
hundred miles in circumference. The great river St. Lau-
rence has its fource in this lake. In all thefe lakes no
current is obfervable, though they receive fuch a number
B .:• of
6 Of the Indian Country, P. L
of rivers and brooks, but their waters are remarkably dear,
fweet, and wholefome, abounding with fift, and navi"gable
for large veflels.^ The Englilh kept even large armed fhips
both on Lake Ontario and Erie, for the defence of their
crade with the Indians.
'^Thei'e are befides a number of fmaller lakes in that part
of North America ; Lake Oneida is about thirty miles long
and fifteen broad j I^ake Cajugu', about as large ; and our
miflionarles have met with fome, rather larger, in the
Benneia country. Mail of the large rivers have falls. The
chief river in that country, inhabited by the Delawares and
Iroquois, is the Ohio, It rrfes about two hundred and fifty^
miles to the norih-eaft of Pittfburg, in a thick forefr,
about half way between the fouth-eaft fide of Lake Ontario
and the river Sufquehannah, which runs thi'ough Fcnnfyl-
vania. The Delawares call this river Alligewifipo ; whicfi
the Europeans have changed into Allighene ; and the
Eroquois call it Ohlo.^ that is, the beautiful river. The Ohio
is a navigable and gentle ftream. Large vefiels may pafs
from Pittfburg down the Ohio to the Miflifippi, and to an
ifland in that river, called Nevi' Orleans. The river Mg-
mngehclla rifes in Virginia, and falls into the Ohio at Pittf-
burg. About one hundred mile& north of that town the
river Venango empties itfelf into the Ohio. In travelling
to Prefquille, Lake Erie, or Niagara^, you leave the Ohio and
enter this river. But this journey is rendered extrem.ely in-
convenient by a portage or carrying place, which obliges tra-
vellers to convey their baggage fifteen miles by land, and then
to refliipit; and if they are not certain of finding gaother
boat ready, they are under the necefiity of conveying tlie
boat with the baggage.
The river Miijkingum^ that is, Elk's Eye^ on account of the
number of elks feeding on its banks, rifes near Cajahoga
in a fmall lake, falls into the Ohio about two hundred miles
below Pittfburg, and is navigable for Indian boats frona
its fource to its mouth. About three hundred miles below
Pittfburg, the river ^ioto^ and a little further wefl,.the WahaJJj^
meet 4-
Cli. I. Of the Indian Coimtry, ^
misets tKe Ohio. The fiver Sandnjiy runs from fouth to
north, and falls into Ljf1<e Erie ; and the Siraivherry river,
deriving its name from the great number of large and
well- flavored flrawberries, growing ori its banks, empties
itfelf into Lake Ontario. Moft of the fmaller rivers of
that country flow into one or other of thefe two lakes. Many-
rivers, not mentioned here, fall into the Ohioj which runs
from north-end to fouth- weft, and after a courfe of above
fixteen hundred miles, joins the rvliffifippi about fourteen
hundred miles below Pittfburg. Brooks, generally called
Creeks, are remarkably numerous, and fall either into the"
aivers or lakes above-mentioned. As we have touched upoil
the two great rivers, the Mi/fif.ppl and St. Lawence^ V will
only juft obferve, that they rife not far from each other, and
taking difl'erent direclions, empty themfelves into the ocean
each about two thoufand five hundred miles from their
fource.
The Mijfiftpply one of the largeft: and mxofl majeftic rivers
in the world, has delightful banks of forefts and meadow
land, upon which whole* herds of elks and other gr';.y.e are
ittn grazing. In fome parts, thefe paflui-es are bounded.
by beautiful hillocks, perpendicular rocks, or high mountains,
from which the profpecl is moPc enchanting. Several rivers,
equal to the Danube or Rhine in magnitude, empty them-
felves into it from eafl to welt. It has likewife feveral falls.
The moft remarkable are the falls of St. Anthony, the nolfe
of v/hich is heard at the diftance of twenty miles. Some^
miles below this catara(£l is a cave of aitonifhing depth.
The Indians call it the habitation of the great Spirit. About
twenty feet forward from the entrance, a fubterranean lake
appears, the end of which has not yet been difcoveved,
on account of the darknefs of the cave. The river Mifiifippi
it length enters the Gulph of Mexico, dividing itfelf into
various branches.
The river 5/. Laurence runs through a large part of Ca-
nada, and having received a great number of larger and
B 4 fmaller
8 Of the Indian Country P. t
fmaller rivers, empties itfelf into the Bay of St. Laurence,
being at its mouth ninety miles broad. The river Niagara
may be confidered as an arm of the river St. Laurence,
about forty-five miles long. The latter having received an
immenfe addition to its waters in a courfe of near one
thoufand fix hundred and fifty miles, falls one hundred and
forty feet perpendicular, and having rufhed forvi^ard about
feven miles with extreme rapidity, falls again nearly from
the fame height with a noife, which is heard at a diftancc
almoft incredible. Befides the falls of Niagara, the river
St. Laurence has other falls, which render it neceflary to
unload the boats, and carry the goods by land for a longer
or Ihorter way, and yet its navigation is confiderable. I
return from this digrefiion to the river Ohio.
The banks of the Ohio are fubje£t to frequent Inunda-
tions, efpecially in fpring, when the fnow melts in the
north. This probabh/ is the caufe of the remarkable
luxuriancy and richnefs of their foil. In general the whole
country'inhabited by the Delawares and Iroquois is uncom-
monly fruitful, but it requires the ufual tillage and
manure,'' after having rendered its produce for fome years
fpontaneoufly.
The country through which the WabaJJj flows, is very
lev^el. Here are plains, many leagues in extent, producing
nothing but grafs, and ina journey of fome days you meet with
neither hill, tree, nor thicket. Upon thefe plains, herds of
buffaloes are feen grazing, confifling fometimes of more than
one hundred head.
It is faid, that the further you travel to the weft, the
more fruitful and beautiful the country appears, but it is
for the moft part uninhabited.
The moft confiderable chain of mountains in the land
of the Delawares and Iroquois is a part of the Apalachian,
or Allegheny mountains, extending from Florida in different
branches almoft without any interruption to the moft northern
parts of America. Thefe mountains receive different names,
in
Ch. I, Of the Climate cf North Americs. 9
in the different countries in which they lie. Thofe to th«
weft of the Miflifippi, in the neighborhood of the river
St. Peter, are called the Shining Aloiintains, on account of
an immenfe number of large cryftals, (hooting from the
rocks, and fparkling beautifully in the rays of the fun, fo
as to be feen at a great diftance. Another part of the fame
ridge in Pennfylvania, is called the Blue Ridge. The
name given to the highell i§, the Great Bliie^ or Wolf's
Mountain, on account of the number of wolves, which
infeft it. The moft confiderable mountains in the land of
Uie Delawares, on the road to Pittfburg, are the Seidling,
Allegheny, and Laurel.
The above-mentioned mountains are the eaftern border
of the Indian country towards Pennfylvania and the colo-
nies.. To the weft of them the land is diverfified with
hillocks and gentle rifings, but is not mountainous. Both
the hills and the lowlands have generally the fame foil.
The latter is fo overgrown with thickets, that the fun can
hardly penetrate. Thefc thickets are called fwamps.
As to the climate, it has been generally remarked, that
thofe American provinces, which lie in the fame latitude
with Europe, fufFer a much fcverer and longer v/inter than
the latter. The moft northern part of the United States
lies in the fame degree of latitude with Great Britain
and the chief part of Germany, but its winter is excef-
fively fevere, and the fummer but fhort. Nova Scotia, the
north part of New England, and the principal part of Ca-
nada, are in the fame degree of latitude with France and the
fouth part of Germany, but the v/inters of the former are
very cold and long. The fouth part of Nev/ England, New
York, the greateft part of New Jerfey, Pennfylvania, and
the fouth part of Canada, lie in the fame degree of lati-
tude with Spain and Italy, but the cold is very fevere
and lafting. Sometimes indeed the heat of fummer
is exceflive, but fudden changes from heat to cold are
freauent. Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina, are in
Id Of the Climate of North America. P. I,
the fame degree of latitude with the mod fouthern parts
of Europe, but have much more froft and fnow. This fe-
verity of ch'mate probably proceeds from the north andnbrth-
weft winds blowing over an immenfe tra£t of land,
covered with mountains, lakes, and forefts. But ther-
want of inhabitants and the large forefts contribute much
towards it At the time when Tacitus wrote his hiftory
of Germany, it appears that its winters were much more
levere and lafting than at prefent. It is therefore probable,
that the feverify of the climate \v\\i abate in America ia
proportion to its culture and population.
In the country of the Delawares they have warm fummers.
The hotted months, are July and Auguft, when woollen
clothes cannot be worn. Even in autumn, and as late or
later than Chriftmas, but little froft is feen, and if even in a
clear night the ground fliould freeze, it thaws foon after
fun-rife. In general the winter is mild, the weather
being chiefly rainy, damp and changeable. After a few
clear days, rainy and foggy weather is fure to follow. The
tiver Muflcingum, being a very flow current, generally
freezes over, once or perhaps twice in a feafon. The
fnow is never deep, nor remains long on the ground. The
winter between 1779 and 1780 was called remarkably^
fevere, as the fnow fell once two feet deep. In eight days it
was gone, and the cold weather lafted only till February.
In the land of the Iroquois the cold is more intenfe, and the
fnow deeper.
The difference of one hundred miles to north or fouth;,
makes likewife a great difference in the temperature of the
air. Near the river Sanduficy the cold is much feverer,
with a greater quantity of fnow, than on the Mulkingum j
and on the Sioto the fnow hardly ever remains on the ground.
The weather varies alfo confidcrably on the eaft and weft
fide of the Allegheny mountains. For in Pennfylvania the
eaft wind generally brings rain j but never on the Ohio,
where the eaft wind feldom blows, and never above twelve
hours at a time. But the fouth and weft winds bring rain,
j«.nj
Ch.f. Stones^ Mir.i'rnis, bfc. it
and the rains from the weft generally let in for a whole
week. It even rains fometimes with a north-weft wind.
AU ftorms of thunder and lightning rife cither with fouth,
v/eft, or north-weft winds, but in Pennfylvania the north-
weft v;ind brings clear and fine weather.
As to the ilones and minerals found in this country, very
little is known, worthy of notice. The wants of the In-
dians are as yet too circumfcribed, to call their attention to
fearch and examine valuable fubterranean produ£lions,
from whicli however no inference can be drawn, that fuch
-iire wanting. So much is certain, that there are neither
_s;old nor filvcr mines in the land of the Delawares and
Iroquois; but copper and lead is found in fome places.
In Lake Superior are iflands, where the furface of the
ground is covered with copper-ore. Native copper is likewifc
found in fome parts. Iron-ore is .'ommon, but whether its
i^uality be as good as that found in Pennfylvania, time muft
ihew. The latter is thought better than any found in
Europe for fhip -builders' ufe, being not fo eafily corroded
by filt-water. Rocks are met witli on the banks of
the Ohio ; but there are not many in other parts, and
hardly any on the MufKinguni ; mcft of the mountains and
hiils being covered with turf- A kind of'fand-ftone is found
on the Ohio, which makes the beft grlndftones- X^e In-
dians value a fpecies of black ftone, foft and eafily cut, as-
the beft for making tobacco pipe heads. Limeftone likewife .
has been difcovered of late. Near the Ohio are feveral:
large fak-licks, which are a common place of refort fcjr
buffaloes and other wild animals. A great quantity of flilt-
pet re is found every- v/here in abundance, andjs efteemed re-
markably good *.
As to the reft of the produce of the Indian country,
whatever m»ay be relied upon will be mentioned occafionallv,
when M^e treat of the cuftoms and manner of living of th&
inhabitants.
*■ For further psiticiihrs concerning the lakes, rivers, mo'jntains, &c,
Of Nsrtli Ameri;:i, lee Morfe's Geograjiliv of the United States.
tZ 0/ the Indians in generaL P. I.
CHAPTER IV
Bodily ConJiitutiQn [of the hidians. Their CharaSier*
Of the Languages^ Arts, and Sciences, known
among the Indians »
THE Delawares and Iroquois, and the nations in league*
with them, refernble each other much, both as to their
bodily and mental qualifications. The men are moftly
Sender, middle-fized, handfome, and ftrait. There are not
many deformed or crippled among them. The women are
fhort, not fo handfome, and rather clumfier in appearance
than the men. Their Hc'n is of a reddifli brown, nearly
refembling copper, but in different (hades. Some are of a
brown yellow, not much differing from the mulattoes ; fomc
light brown,, hardly to be known from a brown European,
except by their hair and eyes.' The former is jet black,
ftiff, lank and coarfe, almoft like horfe-hair. They grow
grey in old age. Curled hair is feldom found amongft
them. ■*
The opinion of Tome authors, who maintain that the
Indians, even in a ftate of puberty, have no hair but upon
their heads, is not well founded. They do not differ from
other nations in this refpeft, but as they confider hairs upon
the body as a deformity, they are continually rooting them
out, fo that at length there are fcarcely any vifible. Their eyes
are large and black, and as favages, the men have a very fierce
and dreadful countenance. Their textures are regular and
not difagrceable, but the cheek bones are rather prominent,
efpecially in the women. Both have very white teeth, and,
when healthy, a fweet breath.
In point of ftrength they far excel the South Americans
and V/efl Indians. The men have a firm walk -, a light
ftep, and run remarkably fwift. Their fmell, fight, and
hearing
Ch. II. Of the InAians in general. 13
hearing is very acute, and their memory fo jftrong, that
they can relate the moft trivial circumilances, which have
happened in their councils many years ago, and tell the
exa6l time of former meeting^;, With the greateft precifion.
The powers of their imagination are lively, and enable
them, in a fhort time, to attain to great fkill and dexterity in
whatever they learn. They comprehend whatever belongs
to their manner of living, or tends to their fuppofed ad-
vantage, with the greatefb eafe, and their continual pra^lice
in, and fcrupulous attention to every needful accomplilh-
ment, to which they are trained up from their infancy, p-ives
them many great advantages over other nations. Indeed
they have but few objeiSls which require their whole atten-
tion, and therefore it is lefs divided. They have given
many inftances of the greatnefs of their mental powers, and
of the accuracy of their deliberation and judgment. Some
of them difplay much good fenfe in their commerce and
converfation with (trangers, and adl with ftridl: conformity
to the rules of juftice and equity, which proves that they
fee things in the proper light. The more opportunities
they have to exert their faculties, the more we difcover that
God has blefTed them with a great fhare of nutural un-
derftanding.
Though the Indians are uncultivated, yet perhaps no
heathen nation, in its moral condud, exhibits a gfeater {liow
of goodnefs and virtue. This pre-eminence will appear
upon the fiighteft comparifon between them and other
heathen, and the following flTort remarks made by our mif-
fionaries, after many years experience and an intimate ac-
quaintance with them, will confirm it.
In common life and converfation the Indians obferve
great decency. They ufually treat one another and Itrangers
with kindnefs and civility, and without empty compliments*
Their whole behavior appears folid and prudent. In mat-
ters of confe^uence they feem to fpeak and aft with the
moft cool and ferious deliberation, avoiding all appearance
i)f precipitancy. But vpon defer examination, their cau-
tion
14 Of the Indians in general. p. I,
tlon appears to rife chiefiy from fufpicion, and their cool- -^
nefs is alFeded. I'hey are perre(^ mailers of the art of
dliTembUng. If an Indian has loft his whole property by
fire or any ether calamity, he fpcaks of it as he would of the
moil trivial occurrence : Yet his pride cannot always con-
, ceal his forrov/.
In the converfe of both fexes, the grcatefl, decency and
propriety is obfervcd. At lead nothing lafcivious or inde-
cent is openly allowed, fo that in this refpecl it cannot be
denied, but that they excel moll nations. But in fecret,
they are ncverthelcfs guilty of fornication, and even of unna-
tural crimes.
They are fociable and friendly, and a mutual intercourfe
fubfifts between the families. Quarrels, farcaflical and of-
fenlive behax'ior, are carefully avoided. They never put any
one publicly to the blufli, nor reproach even a noted mur»
,^erer. Their common convcrfation turns upon hunting,
fiflilng, and aifliirs of ftate. No one interrupts his neigh-
bor in fpeaking, and they liflen very attentively to news,
whether true or falfe. This is one reafon, why they are
fo fond of receiving ftrangers, but no inquiry is made
about nev's, till they have fmoaked one pipe of tobacco.
They never curfe and fwear in their converfatlon, nor have
they any fuch exprefuons for it in their language, as are
common in other nations.
By their behavior it appears as if the greateft confidence
fubfilled among tliem. They frequently leave their imple-
ments and game in the open air, for many days \ not alto-
gether becaufe they place much dependance upon the
honefly and faithfulnefs of their neighbors, for fler.ling
is not an uncommjon pra6lice among them, but becaufe -
they highly refent the leaft idea of fufpicion. They there-
fore pretend to guard the game merely from the attack of
wild beafls.
Difi'erence of rank, with all its confequences, is not to
be found among the Indians. They are all equally noble
and free. The only difTcrence ccnfills in wealth, age,
^ - dexterity,
Ch. II. Of the Indians In general. It;
, dexterity, courage, and ofEce. Whoever furnifhes mudi
wampom for the chiefs, is confidered as a perfon of quality
and riches. Age is every-where much refpe£led, for, ac-
cording to their ideas, long life and wifdom are always con-
ne£led together. Young Indians endeavor by prefents to
gain inftrucLion from the aged, and to learn from them how-
to attain to old age. However, the Indian youth is much
degenerated in this refpe^l. . A clever hunter, a valiant
v/arrior, and an intelligent chief, are alfo much honored;
and no Indian, with all his notions of liberty, ever refufes
to follow and obey his captain, or his chief.
Prefents are very acceptable to an Indian, but he is not
willing to acknowledge himfelf under any obligations to the
donor, and even takes it amifs, if they are difcontinued.
Some old men and women pretend to the art of procuring
prefents of cloaths and provifions, by a certain charm, or
magic fpell, called be/on. At leaft they find the fuper-;
ftition of believing in the efficacy of the befons a profitable
one.
The hofpitallty of the Indians is v/ell known. It ex-
tends even to ftrangers, who take refuge amongft them.
They count it a moll facred duty, from which no one is ex-
empted. Whoever refufes relief to any one, commits a
grievous offence, and not only makes himfelf detefled and
abhorred by all, but liable to revenge from tlie offended
perfon.
In their condu£l towards their enemies they are cruel and
inexorable, and when enraged, bent upon nothing but mur-
der and blooddied. They are however remark.Vble for con-
cealing their pafTions, and waiting for a convenient opportu-
nity of gratifying them. But then their fury knows no
bounds.. If they cannot fatisfy their refentment^ they even
call upon their friends and pofterity to do it. The
longefl: fpace of time cannot cool their wrath, nor the
moft diilant place of refuge afford fecurity to their
.enemy.
Fornications
i6 Of the Indians in general. P. I,
Fornication, adukery, ftealth, lying, and cheating, they
confider as heinous and fcandalous offences, and punifh
^hem in various ways.
An adulterer muft expetl, that the party ofFended will
requite him, either in the fame manner, or put him to death.
An adulterefs is in general merely put away j but fometimes
deftroyed.
A thief muft reftore whatever he has ftolen ; but if he
is too poor, or cannot be brought to juftice, his relations
mull pay for him. In cafe of violent robberies, the forcerers
arc confulted, and thefe pretend to fend the offender out of
the world by an inexplicable procefs.
Since the Indians have taken fo much to drinking rum,
murders are more frequent. An Indian feaft is feldom
concluded without bloodlhed. Though they lay all the
blame to the rum, yet murder committed in drunkennefs is
feverely punifhed. For the murder of a man one hundred
yards of •w'^ampom, and for that of a woman two hundred
yards muft be paid by the murderer. If he is too poor,
which is commonly the cafe, and his friends can or will
not aiiift him, he muft fly from the refentment of the rela-^
tions. But if any one has murdered his own relation, he
cfcapes without much diiEculty; for the family, who alone
have a right to take revenge, do not chufe by too fevere ^
punifhment, inflicted on the murderer, to deprive their
race of two members at once, and thus to weaken their in-
fluence. They rather endeavor to bring about a reconcilia-
tion, and even often juftify the deed,
T he Indian women are more given to ftealing, lying,
quarrelling, backbiting, and Handering, than the men.
We have already obferved, that the Indians are very
capable of learning every kind of work. Some, who have
long refided among the white people, have learnt to work in
iron, and make hatchets, axes, and other tools, without
any regular inftruflion. Ypt few will fyibmit to hard
labor, neither their education nor their wants inclining
them to induftry and application. The Indians in general,
but
Ch. n. Of the Indians in general, 77
but efpecially the men, love eafe ; and even hunting, though
their chief employ, is attended to, with perfeverance, but
for a few months of the year ; the reft are chiefly fpent in
idlenefs. The women are more employed, for the whole
burthen of houfekeeping lies upon them, and nothing but
hunger and want can roufe the men from their drowfinefs,
and give them a£livity.
The honor and welfare of the nation is confidered by
the Indians as a moft important concern. For though they
are joined together neither by force nor compact, yet they
confider themfelves as one nation, of which they have an
exalted idea, and profefs great attachment to their par-
ticular tribe. Independence appears to them to be the grand
prerogative of Indians, confidered either colle£lIvely or as
individuals. They frankly owo the fuperiority of the
Europeans in feveral arts, but defpife them, as fubmitting to
laborious employments. The advantages they pofTefs in
hunting, fifhing, and even in their moral condu£l, appear t<?
them fuperior to any European refinements. This public
fpirit of the Indians produces the moft noble exertions ia
favour of their own people. They dread no danger j fufFer
any hardfliips, and meet torments and death itfelf with
compofure, in the defence of their country. Even in
their laft moments they preferve the greateft appearance
of infenfibility, in honor of their nation, boaft of their
intrepidity, and with favage pride defy the greateft fuf-
ferings and tortures which their enemies can infiidl upoa
them.
Though they efteem the Europeans as a very induftrious
and ingenious people, yet in general they confider them as
enemies.' They are extremely lothe to exchange their man-
ner of living for that of the Europeans, and maintain, that
as a filh was never intended by God to adopt the life of a
fowl, fo an Indian was never deflined to live like an Eu-
ropean. They imagine that they have fufhcient reafon for
difllking all the white people ; for, they fay, the Europeans
have taken away our land ; enclofed our hunting places for
Part I. C the
i9 ' Of the htdian Languages . P. L
the ufe ti their cattle, done infinite mifchief to usj efpe-
cially by the importation of rum, and probably intend in
time to feize upon all our country, and to deftroy our whole
nation. Though the long intercourfe between the Delawares
and Europeans has moderated this difguft, yet they have
neither love nor confidence towards them. The French,
however, feem to pofTefs the greateft fliare of the good-will
of the Indians, by eafily entering into the Indian manner of
living, and appearing always good-humored. The Englilh
are not fo high in their favor.
Since the late war, which procured the independence of
America, the white Americans are all called Big-Jcnives by
the Indians, from the long fwords worn by them.
The Iroquois ftill maintain their good chara£ler, for the
punctuality with which they adhere to public alliances. But
as the reader will find traces fuflicient in the following chap-
ters, by which he may difcover the true character of the
Indians, we will now turn to their languages.
I will not enter into any inquiry about the origin of the
languages fpoken by the Delawares and Iroquois, this being
at prefent as difficult to determine as the origin of the na-
tions themfelves, but will only obferve, that it appears
very probable, that the Delaware and Iroquois are the prin-
cipal languages fpoken throughout the known part of North
America, Terra Labrador excepted, and that all others are
dialefts of them. Our miffionaries at leaft, who were par-
ticularly attentive to this fubjeft, have never met with any,
which had not fome fimilitude with either one ur the other :
But the Delaware language bears no refemblance to the
Iroquois.
Though the three different tribes of the Delawares have
the fame language, yet they fpeak different dialects. The
IJnamis and Wunalachtikos, who formerly inhabited the
eaftern coaft of Pennfylvania and New Jerfey, nearly agree
in pronunciation ; But the dialedl: of the Monfys, who
formerly lived in Menilfing, beyond the Blue Mountains,
differs fo much from the former, that they would hardly be
able
Ch. 11. Of the Indian Languages. ^ ip
able to underftand each other, did they not keep up a conti-
nual intercourfe.
The language of the Delawares has an agreeable founds
both In common converfatlon, and public delivery. The
diale£l fpoken by the Unamis and Wunalachtikos is pecu-
liarly grateful to the ear, and much more eafily learnt by an
European, than that of the Monfys, which is rougher and
fpoken with a broad accent. However, the Monfy dialect is
a key to many expreflions in the Unami and Wunalachtikos.
The latter have a way of dropping fome fyllables, fo that,
without a knowledge of the former, it would be impoflible,
either to fpell their words or guefs their meaning.
The pronunciation of the Delaware language Is In gene-
ral eafy, only the ch is a very ftrong guttural. The letters
fi V, ph, and r, are wanting In their alphabet. They there-
fore omit them entirely In foreign words, or pronounce
them differently, for example, Pilipp for Philip, Petelus
for Petrus, Plifcilla for Prifcilla. They have few mono-
fyllables, but a great number of polyfyllables ^^}d compound
words.
In trifyllables the accent is generally placed upon the
middle, and in polyfyllables upon the laft fyllable but one.
This muft be very minutely attended to, becaufe the fenfe
of many words depends entirely upon the accent.
We have already obferved that feveral other languages
derive their origin from the Delaware, and this proceeds
chiefly from the vicinity or connexions of the different na-
tions and tribes. For Inflance, the language of the Mahi-
kans is nearly related to the Monfy dialeft, thefe two na-
tions having formerly been neighbors In the province of New
York. The Shawanofe is alfo related to the Monfy, but
more to the Mahlkan : Only the former generally place the
accent upon the laft fyllable. The Ottawa is nearly related
to the Shawanofe, but the Chipawa more immediately to the
Delaware. The language of the Twichtwees and Wa-
wiachtanos refemblesthe Shawanofe ;' In dialed the KIkapus,
Tukachlhas, Moflikos, and Karhafkl> differ from the De-
C 2 laware
i^ Of the Indian Languages. P. f,
lawarein proportion to their diftance from each other, but
are all nearly related. Thus alfo the languages of all thofe
nations, formerly refiding on the fea-coaft in Maryland,
very much refembie the Delaware, differmg only in pronuncia-
tion and accent.
I The Iroquois have one common language, but each of the
I fix nations fpeak a different dialed : However, they under-
j Hand each other with eafc. The Mohawks, Oneida, and
jOnondago, vary but little-, the Cajugu rather more; then
'follows the Senncka, and laft of all the Tufcarora. The
languages of many other Indian nations are nearly related
to the Iroquois, efpecially the Huron, which feems to differ
only in pronunciation. But the Cherokees fpeak a compound'
of the Shawanofe, Iroquois, Huron, and others.
All thefe languages however are fubjeft to innovation,
owing to the intercourfe of the different tribes or their con-
nexion with the Europeans. A mixed language was thus
formed by the intermarrying of the French and Indians in
Canada, wtich was counteiianced by the French govern*
ment.
; In things relating to common life, the language of the In-
<Iians is remarkably copious. They have frequently feveral
names for one and the fame thing, under different circum^*
fiances. For inflance, the Delawares have ten different
tiaraes for a bear^ acccrding to its age or fex. Such names
\ have often not the leaft refemblance to each other. But if
we confider all thefe languages in a general point of view,
they are, as far as we know, very deficient in expreflion,
though not all equally poor. The Indians have of courfe no
terms but for the things in which they are converfant and en-
gaged, and thefe are but few. Nor do they take any
pains to enrich their language, in proportion as their know-
ledge extends, but rather choofe to exprefs themfelves in a
figurative or defcriptive manner. Thus the language of
their orators, who moft fenfibly feel the want of proper ex-
prefTions, is full of images, and they find even gefture and
grimace neceffary to convev their fentimeuts. When tl:iev
fee
Cli. II. Of the Indian Languages. 21
fee new objei^s, they commonly obferve, that thefe are
things which have no name. Now and then a council is
held to confult about a term, defcriptire of a new thing.
Thus they have chofen a word to exprefs broivn color ^ figni-
fying the middle betiveen black and njohite. For buckles they in-
vented a word meaning metal Jhoejl rings.
The want of proper cxprefiions in fpirltual things, of
which they were totally ignorant, was mod perplexing. But
fince the Gofpel has been preached among them, the lan-
guages of the Delawares and Iroquois have giiined much in
this refpeft. And in proportion as the believing Indians
grow in the knowledge of the liord Jefus Chrifl and
his word, their languages improve and become more
copious.
There are indeed no rules of oratory laid down in the In-
dian language, yet their orators muft be well exercifed,
before they can gain applaufe. In their public delivery, they
fpeak with a very pompous and elevated tone, in which the
Iroquois excel all other Indians. In matters relating to iheir
own affairs, in which they are well verfed, both they and the
Delawares fpeak with great clearnefs and precifion, and fo
conclfe, that great circumlocution is required to convey the
full meaning of their expreffions in an European language.
If they intend to fpeak in an obfcure and relerved manner,
they can fay fo much in fevy words, that even the Indians
themfelves muft ftudy the true fenfe of their alluGons. They
fhow great (kill in conveying an account of a bad action in
terms, which to men, ignorant of their craftlnefs, appear
defcriptive of a virtuous deed, and for this purpofe tl eir ex-
preffions are well chofen. The chiefs are particularly well
verfed in this art of diffembling, and therefore very ftri(£l at-
tention muft be paid to every word of their difcourfe, efpe-
cially if an anfwer is expected, and great caution is required
to guard againft deceit. The language of the Iroquois ap-
pears more eafy to be learned, than that of the Delawares.
As the Indians have no letters, it is difficult for an
European to write fome of their words with accuracy. How-
C 3 ever,
22
Of the Indian Languages.
P.I.
ever, the miffionary, David Zeijherger, has with great dili-
gence compiled an Englifti and Delaware Spelling Book and
Grammar, which was printed in Philadelphia in 1776, from
which I will here quote the Lord's Prayer as a fpecimen of
the Delaware language :
KI Wetochemelenk, talli epian AwofTagame. Machelen-
dafutfch Ktellewunfowoagan Kfakimawoagan pejewigetfch.
Ktelite hewoagan legetfch talli Achquidhackamike, elgiqui
leek talli Awoflagame. Millneen elgifchquik gunigifchuk
Achpoan. Woak miwelendaramauwineen 'n Tfchannauch-
fowoagannena elgiq[ai niluna miwelendammauwenk nik
Tfchetfchanilawequengik. Woak katfchi 'npawuneen li
Achquetfchiechtowoaganling, tfchukund Ktennieen untfchi
Medhickiing. Alod Knihillatamen Kfakimawoagan, woak
Ktallewuflbwoagan, woak KtallowilUfrowoagan, newuntfchi
hallemiwi li hallamagamik. Amen !
The following table will give the reader fome idea of the
idifFerence between the Delaware and Iroquois :
The Bible
Bread
Brother
The Earth
The Go/pel
Prayer
Faith
Grace
God
Savior
The Heart
A Child
A Man
A Mother
The Creator '
of the World
^ Sijier
Soul
Salvation
Son
Daughter
Death
Dejaivare,
Mecheek Bambilum
Achpoan -
Nimat
Hakky
Kikewiabtonacan
Pattamoewoagan
Wuliftaramuwoagan
Wulantovvoagan
Patamawos
Wewulatenamohaluwit
W'Dee
A mi mens
Lenno
Gachwees
Kifchellemelangcop
Chiefmus
Tfchltfchank
Wulatenamoagan
Quifes
Danifs
Angloagan
Iroquois.
Gacbiatochferatogechti
Jocharachqua
Jatattege
Uchwuntfia
Garrichwio
Unteraenaji
Ne Wauntontak
Ne Agotaeri
Hawonio
Unqiianicb
Aweriachfu
Ixbaa
Etfchinak
Onurha
f Garochiade ne uch-
\ wuntfchiade
Akzia
Gavveriacbfa
Zenichaewe
Hehawak
Echrojehavvak
Ne Jawoheje *
Father
ChAI.
Manner of Writing.
a3
Delaware,
Iroquois.
Father
Wetochemend
Johnika
Truth
Wulameowagan
Togefgezera
Woman
Ochqueu
Echro
To pray
Papachotamun
Unteraenaji
To have mercy
Kfchiwelemeln
Agotaeri
To redeem
Nihillalatfchll
Schungarawatgak
To create
Gifhelendammen
Ne Jechfai _
To eat
Mizin ^
Waunteooni
To believe
Welfettammen
Watontat
To hear
Pentamm
Wathontek
To live
Pommauchfm
Tajonhe
To teach
Achgegimlieen
c Garichwafchoh jo-
\ rihonnie
To preach
Poemmetonhen
Wachtarhas
TqP>g
Affuwi
Wateraenoto
To die
Angeln
Jawoheje
Bad
Machtit
VVahetke
Good
WuUIt
Ojaneri
Beautifut~
Pfchiki
Ojaneri.
Wc mud not expe£\: to find arts and fciences amongft
the wild Indians, nor even any inclination to ftudy them.
-They are not only unable to read and write, but it is very
difficult to give them any idea of thefe accomplilhments.
If a written or printed paper, or book, is (hown them, and
fomething read or fpoken of, as contained in it, fome imagine,
that a fpirit fpeaks fecretly to the reader, dictating whatever
he wiflies to know. Others think, that the paper, when
written upon, can fpeak to the reader, but fo as to be heard
by no one elfe. Therefore a letter, particularly if it be
fealed, is confidered as a very facred thing. But they will
not take pains to learn either to read or write. If any
treaties of peace, contra£^s, or commercial papers, are re-
quired to be delivered to the Europeans, figned by their
chiefs, c:>ptains, Qr^^counfellors, they never do it themfelves,
but get orhers to fubfcribe their names. Then each puts his
mark to his name, which is often nothing but a crooked line,
or a crofs, fometimes a line in the form of a turkey's foot, a
tortoife, or of fome other creature. ' Some are even afhamed
of their Indian names, and prefer the names given tliem by
C 4 the
24 Fabulous Account of their Ongitt. P.I.
the white people. Some have learnt to write the initials of
their new names.
As they are ignorant of thefc arts, and their hiftory de-
pends folely upon tradition, it follows of courfe, that inftead
of a true account of fa6ls, we hear nothing but fables con-
cerning their origin and anceftors. For iaftance, the Iro-
quois fay, that the Indians formerly lived under ground, but
hearing accidentally of a fine country above, they left their
fubterranean habitations, and took poflefli'on of tlie furface.
The Delawares fay, that the heavens are inhabited by
men, and that the Indians defcended from them to inhabit
the earth : That a pregnant woman had been put away by
her hufband, and thrown down upon the earth,wherc fhe was
delivered of twins, and thus by degrees the earth was
peopleiJ. The Nantikoks pretend, that feven Indians had
found themfelves all on a fudden fitting on the fea-coaft, but
knew not how they came there, whether they were created
on the fpot, or came from fome other place beyond the feas,
and that by thefe the country was peopled. Others af-
firm, that the firft Indians had their origin from the waters.
However fool ilh thefe traditions maybe, they all feem to
imply, that the Indians came from fome other country.
Neither the Delawares nor Iroquois know any thing of
their own hiftory, but what has been verbally tranfmitted to
them by their fathers and grandfathers. They carefully re-
peat it to their children, and to imprefs it more upon their
minds, drefs up their ftory in a variety of figures. When
the Delawares fpeak with the Europeans about their an-
ceftors, they boaft that they have been mighty warriors, and
exhibited many feats of valor. They delight in defcriblng
their genealogies, and are fo well verfed in them, that they
mark every branch of the family, with the greateft precifion.
They alfo add the characler of their forefathers ; fuch an one
was a wife and intelligent counfellor ; a renowned chief;
a mighty v/arrior, or a rich man, &c.
But though they are indifferent about the hiftory of former
times, and ignorant of the arc of reading and writing, yet
their
Ch. TI. CharaBeriJiic Figures, ~ 25
their anceftors were well aware, that they flood In tiesd of
fomething to enable them to convey then- ideas to a diflant
nation, or preferve the memory of remarkable events at leaft
for a feafon. To this end they invented fomething like
hieroglyphics, and alfo firings and belts of wampom.
Their hieroglyphics are character! flic figur.is, which are
more frequently painted upon trees than cut in flone.
They are intended, cither to caution agamll danger, to mark
a place of fafety, to dire6l the wanderer into the right path,
to record a remarkable ti-anfatlion, or to commemorate the
deeds and atchieveraents of their celebrated heroes, and
are as intelligible to them, as a written account is to us.
For this purpofe, they generally chufe a tall well-grown
tree, ftanding upon an eminence, and peeling the bark oa
one fide, fcrape the wood till it becomes white and clean.
They then draw with ruddle, the figure of the hero whofe
exploits they wifh to celebrate, clad in his armor, and at
his feet as many men without heads or arms as fell by his
own hand. Thefe drawings may lail above fifty years, and
It is a" great confolation to the dying warrior, that his glorious
deeds will be preferved fo long, for the admiration and
5'nitation of pofterity. As every Indian underflands their
meaning, a traveller cannot gratify the feelings of his Indian
guides in a more acceptable manner, than by flopping to exa-
mine monuments of this kind, and attending patiently to
their extravagant accounts of the prowefs of their warriors.
But thefe are frequently fo ridiculous and improbable, that
it is a matter of furprife, how they fhould be able to invent
fuch unaccountable liclions. The v/arriors fainetimes paint-
their own deeds and adventures ; for inltance, the number of
prifoners orJcalps taken ; the number of troops they com-
manded, and of fuch as fell in battle. Other painting*,
point out the places, where a company of Indians have been
hunting, Ihowing the nights they fpent there, the number of
deer, bears, &c. killed during the hunt, &c. If even a party
of travelling Indians have fpent but one night in the woods,
it may be eafily known, net only by the flrudlure of their
4 fleepin^j
26 U/e of Wampom. P. I,
fleeping huts, but by their marks on the trees, to what tribe
they belonged : For they always leave a mark behind, made
either with ruddle or charcoal.
Wampom is an Iroquois word^ meaning a mufcle. A number
of thefe mufcles flrung together is called TiJIring ofwampom^
which, when a fathom long, is termed a fathom or belt of
wampom, but the -woxdijiring is commonly ufed, whether it
be long or fhort. Before the Europeans came to North
America, the Indians ufed to make their firings of wampom
chiefly of fmall pieces of wood of equal fize, ftained either
black or white. Few were made of mufcles, which were
efteemed very valuable and difficult to make; for, not having
proper tools, they fpent much time in finilhing them, and
yet their work had a clumfy appearance. But the Europeans
foon contrived to make firings of wampom, both neat and
elegant, and in great abundance. Thefe they bartered with
the Indians for other goods, and found this traffic very ad-
vantageous. The Indians immediately gave up the ufe of
the old wooden fubftitutes for wampom, and procured thofe
made of mufcles, which, though fallen in price, were always
accounted valuable.
Thefe mufcles are chiefly found on the coafl of Virginia
and Maryland, and are valued according to their color,
which is brown, violet, and white. The former are fome-
times of fo dark a fhade, that they pafs for black, and are
double the price of the white. Having firfl fawed them into
fquare pieces about a quarter of an inch in length, and an
eighth in thicknefs, they grind them round or oval upon a
common grindftone. Then a hole being bored lengthways
through each, large enough to admit a wire, whipcord, or
thin thong, they are ftrung like beadS;and ihejlringofnvampom
incompleted. Four or fix firings joined in one breadth, and
faflened to each other with fine thread, make a belt of luampoviy
being about three or four inches wide, and three feet long,
containing perhaps four, eight, and twelve fathoms of wam-
pom, in proportion to its required length and breadth.
Tills is determined by the importance of the fubjedl, which
6 thefe
Ch. II. Vfe of Wampom. zj
thefe belts are Intended either to explain or confirm, or by
the dignity of the perfons to whom they are to be delivered.
Every thing of moment tranfa£led at foiemn councils, either
between the Indians themfclves, or with the Europeans, is
ratified, and made valid by firings and belts of wampom-
Formerly they ufed to give fan£lion to their treaties by de-
livering a wing of fome large bird ; and this cuftom ftill
prevails among the more vreftern nations, in tranfa£ting bu-
Cnefs with the Delawares. But the Delawares themfelves,
the Iroquois, and the nations in league M'ith them, are now
fufficiently provided with handfome and well-wrought ftrings
and belts of wampom. Upon the delivery of a firing, a
long fpeech may be made, and much faid upon the hibje(fl
under confideration : But when a belt is given, few words are
fpoken, but they muft be words of great importance, fre-
quently requiring an explanation. Whenever the fpeaker
has pronounced fome important fentence, he delivers a
ftring of wampom, adding, " I give this firing of wampom
as a confirmation of what I have fpoken :" But the chief
fubjedl of his difcourfe he confirms with a belt. The an-
fwers given to a fpeech thus delivered, mufl alfo be con-
firmed by firings and belts of wampom of the fame fize and
number as thofe received. Neither the color, nor the other
qualities of the wampom are matters of indifference, but
have an Immediate reference to thofe things which they are
meant to confirm. The brown or deep violet, called black
by the Indians, always means fomething of fevere and
doubtful import ; but white is the color of peace. Thus if
a firing or belt of wampom is intended to confirm a warn-
ing againfl evil, or an earnefl reproof, it is delivered in black.
When a nation is called upon to go to war, or war declared
againfl it, the belt is black, or marked with red, called by
them the color of bloody having in the middle the figure of an
hatchet, in white wampom.
The Indian women are very dexterous In weaving the
.firings of wampom into belts, and marking them with dif-
ferent figures, perfedly agreeing with the different fubjedls
28 Vfeof Wampom, P. T.
contained in the fpeech. Thefe figures are marked with
vhite wampom upon the blick, and with black upon the
ivhite behs. For exannple, in a belt of pcace^ they very dex-
ieroully teprefent in black wampom, two hands joined. The
belt of peace is white, a fathom long and a hand's breadth.
To diftinguifli one belt from the other, each has its peculiar
mark. No belt, except the war-belt, muft {how any red
color. If they are obliged to ufe black wampom for want of
■white, they daub it over with white clay, and though the
black may fhine through, its value and import is confidered
as equal to white. Thefe ilrings and belts of wampom z\t
alfo documents, by which the Indians remember the chief
articles of the treaties made either between themfelves, or
•with the white people. They refer to them as to public re-
Cor<;s, cirefully preferving them in a cheft made for that pur-
pofe. At cv-iLciia f afons they meet to (tudy their m.eaning,
aiid to renew the ideas, of which ihey were an emblem and
confirmation. On fuch occafions they fit down around th*
cheft, take out one firing or belt after the other, handing it
about to every perfon prefent, and, that they may all compre-
hend its meaning, repeat the wort's pronounced on its de-
livery in their vv'hole connexion. By thefe means they are
enabled to remember the promifes reciprocally made by
the different parties. Arrd as it is their ccftom to admit even
the young boys, who are related to the chiefs, to thefe af-
femblies, they become early acquainted with all the affairs of
the flate ; and thus the contents of their documents are
tiaufmatted to pcfterity, and cannot eafily be forgotten.
The follnwing inflance may feive to fliow how well this
mode orcomm.unication anfvvers the purpofe of recalling
fubjefts to their memory ; A friend of mine, at Philadel-
phi'i, gave an Indian a ftringof wampom, adding, " I am your
«' friend, aiid will ferve you to the utmoll of my power.'^
Forty years after, the Indian returned the fliring, faying,
« Brother, you gave me this firing of wampom, faying, ' I
<' am your friend and will ferve you to the utmoll of
^* my power.' I am now aged, infirmj and poor; do
*^ noWji
Ch. n. Arithmetic. 2^
** now, as you promlfed." And Kc gencroufly kept hit
word.
Befides the above-mentioned methods, by which the In-
dians commemorate certain events •, they likewife have fongs
in praife of their heroes, extolling their glorious exploits.
Thefe are frequently fung, but merely .from memory. They
teach them to their children 5 and thofe who love poetry,
compofe more, fo that there is no want of them.
They require but very little arithmetic to keep an account
of their goods and chattels, yet they are not wholly unac-
quainted with it. There are indeed fome nations in North
America who can count to ten or twenty only, and if they wifli
to exprefs a greater number, point to the hair of their heads,
fignifying that the number exceeds their powers of calcula-
tion. But thofe nations who trade with the Europeans
have learned to calculate pretty well. The Cherokees count
to one hundred. The Iroquois and Delawares underftand
but little of our cyphers and letters, but they can count to
' thousands and hundreds of thoufands. They count regularly
to ten, make a maik, proceed to the next ten, and fo oa
to the end of the account t Then, by adding the tens, they
find hundreds, thoufands, &c. &g. The women generaliy
count upon their fingers.
Thofe Indians who underftand the value of money have
learned it chiefly from the Englifli and Dutch. The Dela-
wares call pence pennig^ and {Mwtvsjlipel. If they want to
calculate a fum of money with exa<£lnefs, they take Indian
corn, calling every corn a penny or ftiver, adding as ma:iy
as are neceffary to make florins, fbillingg, and pounds.
Moil of them determine a number of years by fo many
winters, fammers, fprings, or autumns, fincefuchanevc.it
took place. Few of them know exaftly how many years oid.
they are after thirty. Some reckon from the time of an
hard froil or a deep fall of fnow in fuch a year ; from a
war with the Indians, or from the building of Pil:t{bur<r or
Pliiladelpliia. For example, '* When Pittfburg v/as fird
" buiitj I was ten years oidj."' or, 'Tii fpring, when we bdll
" iugar.
30 . Geography. P. I.
** fugar, or when we plant, that Is, next March, or next
« May, I (hall be fo old, &c."
They know as little of geography as of other fciences.
Some imagine, that the earth fwims in the fea, or that an
enormous tortoife carries the world on its back. But they
have an idea of maps, and even delineate plans of countries,
known to them, upon birch bark, with tolerable exadlnefs.
The diilance from one place to another they never mark by
miles, but by days journies, each comprehending about fif-
teen or twenty miles. Thefe they divide into half or quarter
day's journies, and mark them upon their maps with allpoflible
accuracy. When they fend parties to war or to hunt, they
can defcribe the road, and inform them pretty exadlly con-
cerning the time required to perform the journey.
An Indian feldom lofes his way in the woods, though
fome are between two and three hundred miles in length, and
as many in breadth. Befides knowing the courfe of the
rivers and brooks, and the fituation of the hills, he is fafely
directed by the branches and mofs growing upon the trees ;
for towards the fouth the branches are fuller and ftouter, and
there is lefs mofs upon the bark than towards the north.
But if the fun fhines, he wants no other guide.
They mark the boundaries of their different territories
chiefly by mountains, lakes, rivers, and brooks, and, if pof-
fible, in a ftrait line.
Among the ftars, they know the polar flar, and direct
their courfe by it in the night. When the fun fets, they
think it goes under water. When the moon does not fliine,
they fay fhe is dead, and fome call the three laft days before
the new moon, the naked days. Her firft appearance is
c?*led her refurre£tion. If either fun or moon is eclipfed,
they fay, the fun or the hioon Is in a fwoon.
The Delawares and Iroquois divide the year Into winter,
fpring, fummer and autumn, and each quarter Into months.
But their calculations are very imperfedl, nor can they
agree, when to begin the new year. Mod of them begin
with the fpring, fome with any other ^quarter, and many,
who
Ch. II. Dlvifiom of Time. 3 1
wHo are acquainted with the Europeans, begin with our new-
year's-day. However, they all agree in giving fuch names to
the months, as exprefs the feafon of the year. They there-
fore call Marchj Chadfifh month, becaufe in this month
this fi{h pafles up the creeks and rivers in great numbers-
Aprily Planting month ; Indian corn being planted towards
the end or in the middle of April. May has a name, figni-
fying the month in which the hoe is ufed for Indian corn.
The name given to Jimey fignifies the month in which the deer
become red : That of July^ the time of raifing the earth about
the corn, and of ^;^^«y?, the time when the corn is in the milk.
September is called the firft month in autumn, and OBober the
month of harveft ; November the hunting month, molt of the
Indians then going out to fiioot bucks ; and the name of De-
cember fhows that then the bucks call their antlers. January
is called the fquirrel month, the ground-fquirrels coming then
out of the holes ; and February the month of frogs ^ as the
frogs generally begin to croak about that feafon.
They do not divide their months into weeks, nor count the
days, but always the nights. An Indian fays,j *' I was travel-
" ling fo many nights." But if he did not ftay from home all
the night, he fays, " I was a day's journey from home."
They exprefs half a day, by pointing to that part of the
heavens where the fun is at noon, and a quarter of a day by
its rifing or fetting. If they wifli to fpeak more accurately,
they point to other marks, intelligible to them. By the
courfe of the fun, they determine the time of the day,
with nearly as much exa6lnefs, as we do by a watch. An
Indian fays, " I will be with you to-morrow when the fun
" {lands in fuch a place." The growth of the com is alfo a
mark of time: viz. *' I will return when the corn is grown
** fo high : I will do this and that, when the corn is in bloom,
" or ripe."
They know nothing of the caufes of natural phonemena ;
nor do they defire to be informed of them. Thunder they
conceive to be a fpirit dwelling in the mountains, and now
■ and then fallying forth to make himfelf heard. Others ima-
gine
3a Works of Art. jp. J,
gine it to proceed from the crowing of a mon ft rous turkey--
cock in the heavens; others from enraged evil fpirits.
As little as the Indians underftand of fciences, or wifli to
be in{lru£led in them ; as little do they trouble themfelves in
general about the works of art. They like to fee them, with-
out alking how they are made, or for what ufe they are in- ,
tended. But if you defcribe a man who is a fwift racer, or
a great huntfman;. a good archer andmarkfman, or a clever
failor; a brave leader, courageous and (kilful in war, well ac-
quainted with the country, able to find his way alone through
an immenfe foreft, and to live upon a very fcanty pittance ;
they then attend with great eagernefs, and know not how
to extol the bravery and Ikill of fuch a character fuffi-
ciently.
If you expeft them to value or admire any arv, it muft
liave a reference to hunting, fifliing, or fighting. To thefe
you may fix their attention, and nothing gratifies their
curiofity in a higher degree. They wifli immediately to imi-
tate it, and many an Indian, who has never feen, hovf this or
the other piece of workmanfhip is contrived, attempts in his
own way to execute it, and fparcs neither labor nor time in ~
the work. Thus many of the Delawares and Iroquois have
learnt to make very good rifle-barrels of common fowling-
pieces, and keep them likewife in good repair, by which the
life of thefe weapons has become pretty general among then!
and the Shawanofe. But thofe nations, which live further
to the weft, and feldom fee rifle-barrels, muft be fatisfied with
very indifferent fowiing-pieces.
The light beats, made by the Indians,- and commonly
called canoes, may be reckoned among the fivll productions
of their art. The beft are made of the bark of birch,
faftened upon light wooden ribs, and ftrengthened by crofs
pieces. The bark is fewed together v/ith the flender fibres of
roots, and all crevices carefully filled with fplinters and
caulked with turpentine. The feats are placed acrofs, as in
an European boat. They even build canoes, large enough
£or twenty rowers j and fo light, that two or four men are
able
Ch. 11. Stipevjlihon of the Indians. 33
able to cany them. A canoe, which may be carr'erl by
two Indians, will bear two ihoufand pounds freight.
Thefe light veffels are very ierviceable for trade, both
to the Indians and Europeans, on account of the num-
ber of falls in the rivers; which make it neceflary to un-
\ load and carry both canoes and goods, perhaps many miles
by land, before they can venture into the water again.
In rowing they muft take great care not to overfet, run
aground, or ftrike againft a rock, for if they fpring a leak,
it is not eafily ftqpped. But we ftiall fpeak more of this,
when we treat of their fifliery.
The great and almoft general indifFerence of the Indians
towards the works of art chiefly arifes from this, that rnoft
of their wants are eafily fupplied, without the afliftancc of
much ingenuity.
CHAPTER III.
Of the religious Ceremonies and Superjiition of the
Heathen Indians.
BEFORE we enter upon a defcription of the religious
knowledge of thefe nations, it muft be obferved, that
we confider it in its prefent ftate. For "as the Europeans
have lived fo long, both in their neighborhood and among
them, it may reafonably be fuppofed, that the prefent
religious notions of the Indians differ in many refpefts from
thofe of their forefathers. That the Indians here fpoken of
have fome fort of religion and mode of worfhip,* cannot be
denied i but it is replete with grofs abfurdity, and entirely
unconnefted.
The prevailing opinion of all thefe nations is, that there
is one God, or, as they call him, one great and good
Part I. D Spirit,
24 Stiperfiltmi of the Indians. P. f,-
Spirit, who has created the heayens and the earth, and made
man and every other creature : For that, which may be
known of God, is as well manlfeft in them, according to
Romans, i. 19, 20. as in all other heathen ; and this great
and important truth is preferved among them, both by tra-
dition, and by their own obfervation.
They reprefent God as almighty, and able to do as much
good as he pleafes ; nor do they doubt, but that he is gra-
cioufly and mercifully difpofed towards men; becaufe he
imparts power to the plants to grow, caufes rain and fun-
(hine, and gives hfli andvenifon to man for his fupport. In-
deed, as to fifh and deer, they imagine them given to the
Indians exclufively, and not to the white people. They are
alfo fully convinced, that God requires of them to do good
and to efchew evil.
Befides the Supreme Being, they believe in good and evil
fpirits, confidering them as fubordinate deities. From the
accounts of the oldefl Indians, it appears, that whenever
war was In contemplation, they ufed to admonlfh each other
to hearken to the good, and not to the evil fpirits, the for-
mer always recommending peace. - They feem to have
had no idea of the Devil., as the Prince of Darknefs,
before the Europeans came into the country. They confider
him now as a very powerful fpirit, but unable to do good, and
therefore call him, The Evil One. Thus they now believe
in two Beings, the one fupremely good, and the other alto-
gether evil. To the former they afcribe all good, and to the
latter all evil.
About thirty years ago, a great change took place in the
religious opinions of the Indians. Some preachers of their
own nation pretended to have received revelations from
above, to have travelled into heaven, and converfed' with
God. They gave different accounts of their exploits on the
purney, but all agreed in this, that no one could enter into
heaven, without great danger: for the road, fay they,
runs clofe by the gates of hell. There the Devil lies in
•ambulh , and fnatches at every one, who is going to God.
Now
Ch. III. Btiperfl'itton of the Indiam, ^$
Now tliofe who have pafled by this dangerous pl?.ce unhurt,
come firfl to the Son of God, and through him to Cod
himfelf, from whom they ptetend to have received a com-
mandment, to inftru6t the Indians in the way to liciven.
By thefe preachers the Indians were informed, that heaven
was the dwelling of God, and hell that of the devil. Some
of their preachers confefled, that they had not reached
the dwelling of God, but had however approached near
enough to hear the cocks crow, and to fee the fmoke of the.
Chimneys in heaven.
Other teachers contradicted this dodrine, and main-
tained that no one knew the dwelling-place of God him-
felf, but only that of the good fpirits, which is fituated
jibove the blue (ky. According to their accounf, the latter
forms a kind of partition between the habitation of the good
fpirits and that of man. But they pretend to have found
the way to this laud of fpirits over a great rock, upon
which the heavens reel to and fro with a ftupendous noife.
They relate, that two valiant warriors had travelled into thofe
parts many years ago, but upon their return, refufed to give
any account of what they had feen and heard.
Thefe teachers were again contradicled by others, who
had a different opinion concerning the fituation of the land of
fpirits and the road thither. They appeal to the teftimony
of two Indians, who were dead for feveral days ; and had
meanwhile been in the habitation of the good fpirits.
When they revived, they related that this place was to the
fouth of heaven, and that the bright track called the milky
■way, was the road to it. This led to a moft glorious city,
the inhabitants of which enjoyed every pofTible good in great
abundance.
Thofe teachers, who pretend to have been with God,
mark two roads upon a deer-fkin, both leading to heaven,
one for the Indians and the other for the white people. They
lay that the latter ufed to go a great way round about, and
the road for the Indians was then the fhorteft, but that
now, the white people having blocked up the road for the
D 2 Indians,
3^ Stiperjiithn of the Indidns. P. I.
Indians, they were obliged to make a long circuit to come to
God. They have alfo paintings of heaven and hell. Upon
the fame deer-fkin theylikewife make the figure of a balance,
to reprefent the deceitful trafhc, carried on by the white
people with the Indians. This rude pidure is, as it were,
their book, and lies fpread before them, when they preach co
the Indians. They then explain ^every mark and figure to
their hearers, and it is very evident, that their chief aim
is, to influence the minds of the Indians againfl the white
people.
In their ideas of man, they make a proper diflindion
between body and foul, the latter of which is confidered by
them as a fpiritual and immortal being. Their ideas of the
nature of a Ipirit do not preclude their reprefenting good
fpirits in an human form. But they obferve that thefe excel
even the Indians, whom they confider as the moft beautiful
of the human race, in comelinefs and perfection.
That they confider the foul as immortal, and even fuppofe
a refurre£tion of the body, may be inferred from their ufual
manner of expreffing themfelves, when they fay, " We In-
" dians cannot die eternally ; even Indian corn, buried in
" the ground, is vivified and rifes again." Many believe in the
tranfmigration of fouls, and imagine that they were with
God before their birth, and came from him, or that they
have been formerly in the world, and are now living over
again. They fuppofe, that when the fouls have been fome
time with God, they \ re at liberty to return into the world,
and to be born again. But there are few Indians who ex-
prefs their thoughts fo diftin£lly upon this fubje6t. They
believe the old do£lrine of their anceftors, that all Indians,
who have led a good life, will come to a good place after
death, where they will have every thing in abundance,
and may dance and make merry •, but that all, who have
lived in wickednefs, v/ill rove about without any fixed
abode, and be reftlefs, diflatisfied, and melancholy.
However, their moft exalted notions concerning the happy
ftate of the good Indians in heaven, are not able to deliver
them
Ch, III. Z.uperjlithn of the Indians. 37
them from an unufual horror at the thought of death. They
dare not mention it, and whenever it enters their minds,
they tremble and quake for fear. Their confternation is
particularly vifible during a dorm of thunder and lightning.
This may alfo be deemed the moft powerful motive for their
religious worihip, and the principal caufe of the afcendency
gained by the above-mentioned teachers over their minds.
To heathen their fyftem of morals feemed fevere, for fome
of them made a total ceflation from fornication, adultery,
murder, and robbery, the mofteflential condition, when they
promifed their hearers a place among the good fpirits and a
fliare in their affluence and joy. They added, that they muft
be firft thoroughly cleanfed from their fins, and gave the
poor people vomits, as the mod expeiiitious mode of per-
forming this purification.
Some Indians who believed in thefe abfurdities vomited fo
often, that their lives were endangered by it. They were
further ftridly exhorted to faft, and to take nothing but
phyfic for many days. Few indeed perfevered in attending
to fo fevere a regimen.
Other teachers pretended, that ftripes were the moft efi^
fetlual means to purge away fin. They adviled their hearers
to fuffer themfelves to be beaten with twelve different flicks,
from the foles of their feet to their necks, that their fins
might pafs from theYn through their throats. Even thefe tor-
mentors had their willing fcholars, though it was appa^
rent, that the people became no better, but rather veorfe by
thefe w^retched dodrines.
Some of thefe preachers went even fo far as to make them-
felves equal with God. They affirmed, that the weal and
woe of the Indians depended upon their will and pleafure,
and demanded the moft ftritSt obfervance of their dilates.
Their deluded followers, poffeffing the higheft veneration
for them, brought them many prefents. Even fome of the
moft fenfible andrefped:ed Indians aflented to their do6lrines,
punctually following their prefcriptions, even at the hazard
of their health and lives.
D 3 But
3 8 StiperJIkion of the Indians. P. T«
But the walk and condiitl of thefe teachers of morality
altogether difagreed with their exhortations to lead a
good and virtuous life. Among other vile practices they
publicly introduced polygamy, and during their fermons,
had feveral of their wives fitting round about them. They
even pretended that it was a charitable and meritorious a6l
in them, as men living in intimacy with God, to take thefe
poor ignorant women, and lead them in the way to God and
to the enjoyment of eternal felicity.
This part of their do£lrine was greatly reliflicd by their
hearers, and it is a lamentable truth, that fince that period,
adultery, fornication, and other fuch abominations, have
been more frequent among the Indians, than before. The
young people began to defpife the counfel of the aged, and
only endeavoured to get into favor with thefe preachers,
whofe followers multiplied very faft. The preachers, how-
ever, v/ere cautious enough, never to flay too long in
one place, left their treachery and deceptions fliouid be
made manifcft.
Various as the do£lrines of thefe Indian preachers were,
yet they all agreed in this, that after death the bad Indians,
who difobey their precepts, would not come into the place of
the good fpirits. They aflerted, that they would be kept at
fome diftance, near enough to behold how cheerful the
good Indians were, yet not permitted to approach j that
they would get nothing to eat, but poifonoUs wood and
roots ; and be always dying a dreadful death, yet never die.
But they never threatened their hearers with hell and the
devil. Some even affirmed, that though the Indians fhould
lead a wicked life, they would never go to the, devil,
for he exifted merely for the white people. Nor does he
live, according to their notions, among the Indians, but only
among the Europeans. This doilrine was likewife much ap-
proved of by the deluded people.
However, the refpe£l fhown to thefe preachers lafted only
till they were indifcreet enough to promife to thofe who fhoul4
obey iheir do<Slrines, fuccefs in hunting and in every other
under*
Ch. HI. Siiperflition of the Indians. 39
undertaking ; power to wrJk on the water as on dry ground,
and rich harvefts from ill-fown land. Nothing indeed was
more agreeable to the llothful difpofuion of an Indian,
than fuch promifes; but when their credulity was punifiied
with hunger, their regard for thefe falfe pri.;phets vaniihed
fo fuddenly, that the latter Were not able to invent evafionsj in
time to prevent the rum of their credit. Now though we
ilill hear of people, who wifh to intrude themlelves upon the
Indians as teachers, yet they can never hope to gain the fame
cfteem and veneration, which they enjoyed tv/emy or thirty-
years ago. The former prophets have done great mifchief,
which even operates to this day, for the minds of the Indians
are ftill filled with their abfurditics.
Sacrifices made with a view to pacify God and the fubordl-
nate deities are alfo among the religious ceremonies of the
Indians. Thefe facrifices are of very antient date, and con-
fidered in fo facred a light, that unlefs they are performed
in proper time and in a manner acceptable to the Deity,
they fuppofe illnefs, misfortunes, and death itfelf, v/ould cer-
tainly befal them and their families. But they have neither
priefls regularly appointed, nor temples. At general and
folemn facrifices, the oldeft men perform the offices of priefts,
but in private parties, each man bringing a facrifice is prieft
himfelf. Inftead of a temple, a large dwelling-houfe is
fitted up for the purpofe.
Our miffionariis have not found rank polytkeifm, or grofs
idolatry, to exift among the Indians. They have, however,
fomething which may be called an idol. This is the MamttOj
reprefencing in wood the head of a man in miniature,
which they ^.Iways carry about tliem, either on a firing round
their neck or in a bag. They hang it alfo about their chil,-
dren, to preferve chem from illnefs and enfure to them fuc-
cefs. When they perform a folemn facrifice, a matihto^ or a
head as large as life, is put upon a pole in the middle of the
houfe.
But they underftand by the word manitto, every being, to
which an offering is made, efpecially all good fpirits. They
^ 4 alfo
40 Indian Feafis and Sacrifices. P. I.
alfo look upon the elements, almofl: all animals, and even
fome plants, as fpirits, one exceeding the other in dignity and
power.
They facrifice to an hare, becaufe, according to report,
the firft anceftor of the Indian tribes had that name. To
Indian corn they facrifice bears flefli, biit to deer and bears,
Indian corn j to the filhes, fmall pieces of bread in the ihape
of fiflies : But they pofitiveh- df-ny, that they pay any adoration
to thefe fubordinate good Ipirits and affirm, that they only
worfliip the true Go J, through them : For God, fay they,
does not require men to pay offerings or adoration immedi-
ately to him. He has therefore made known his will in
dreams, notifying; to them, what beings they have to con-
fider as tnaniitos, and what orferings to make to them
The nianlttos are alfo confidered as tutelar fpirits. Every
Indian has one or more, which he conceives to be peculiarly
given to affift him and make him profper. One has In a
dream received the fun as his tutelar fpirit, another the
mbonj a third, an owl j a fourth, abufFaloe; and fo forth.
An Indian is difpirited, and confiders himfelf as forfaken by
God, till he has received a iutelar fpirit in a dream ; but
thofe who have been thus favored, are full of courage, and
proud of their powerful ally.
Among the feafts and facrifices of the Indians, five are
the moft remarkable, and each has its pecuUar ceremonies.
I will defcribe them as held among the Delawares.
The firfl facrificial feaft is held by an whole family or their
friends once in two years, comnrionly in autumn, feldorn
in winter. Befide the members of the family, they fome-
times invite their neighbors from the adjacent towns, and,
as thtir connexions are large, each Indian has an opportunity
of attending more than one family feafl in a year. The
head of the family mufb provide every thing. He calculates
the requifite number of deer and bears, and fends the young
people into the woods to procure them. When they have
completed their numbers, they carry the booty home, in
folemn proceflion, depofiting it in the houfe of facrifice.
The
Ch. III. Lidian Fen/Is and Sncrljices. 4I
The women are meanwhile engaged in preparing fire-wood
for roafling or boiling, and long dry reed grafs for feats.
As foon as the guefls are all aflembled and feated, the boiled
meat is ferved up in large kettles, with bread made of In-
dian corn, and diftributed by the fervants. The rule is,
that whatever is thus brought as a facrifice, mufl be eaten
alrogether and nothing left. A fmall quantity of melted
fat only, is poured by the oldefl men into the fire, and in
this the main part of the offering confifts. The bones are
burnt, lefl the dogs fhould get any of them. After dinner
the men and v/:men dance with much decency. One
finger only performs during the dance, walking up and
down, rattling a fmall tortoife-fhell filled M-ith pebbles.
The burthen of his fong confifts of dreams, and a recital of
all the names of the manittoSy and thofe things which are
mofl; ufeful to the Indians. When the firft finger is weary,
he fits down, and is relieved by another. Thus this feaftinej
Is fomerimes continued for three or four nights together,
beginning in the afternoon and lafting till the next morning.
The fecond feafl differs from the former only in this, that
the men dance almoft naked, their bodies being daubed ali
over with white clay.
At the third feafl, ten or more tanned deer-ficins are given
to as many old men or women ; who wrap themfclves in them,
and fland before thehoufe, with their faces turned to the eafl,
praying God with a loud voice to reward their benefactors.
The fourth facrifice is made to a certain voracious fpirit,
who. according to their opinion, is never fatisfied. The
guefls are therefore obliged to cat all the bears flefh, and
drink the melted fat, without leaving any thing, v/hich is fre-
quently followed by indigellions and vomiting.
The fifth feflival is celebrated in honor of fire, which
they confider as the firft parent of all Indian nations.
Twelve manittos attend him as fubordinate deities, being
partly animals and partly vegetables. The chief ceremony
in celebrating this feflival is, that a large oven is built in
die midft of the houfe of facrifice, confifling of twelve
poles
_^5 Indian Feajis and Bacrifijcs, P. f ,
poles eacK of a dlfFerent fpecies of wood. Thefe tliey run
into the ground, tie them together at the top, and cover
fehem entirely with blankets, joined clofe together, fo that the
whole appears like a baker's oven high enough nearly to
adirit a man (landing upright. After dinner the oven Is
Reated with tv/elve large Hones made red hot. Then twelve
jnea creep into it, and remain there, as long as they can bear
the heat. Meanwhile an old man throws twelve pipes full
©f tobacco upon the hot Hones, which occafions a fmoke
almoft powerful enough to fufFocate the perfons thus con-
fined, fo that, upon their being taken out, they generally
fall down in a fwoon, During this feaft a whole deer-fkin,
with the head and antlers remaining, is railed upon a pole, to
which they feem to fing and pray. But they deny that they
pay any adoration to the buck, declaring that God alone is
worfliipped through this medium.
To amufe the young people, a great quantity of wamporrj
Is thrown upon the ground, for which they fcramble, and
lie that gets mofc is thought to be the beft man. At thefe
feafls there are never Icfs than four fervants appointed, who
Iiave enough to do by day and night. Their pay confifts in
a, fathom of wampom, and leave to take the beft of the pro--
■wiiion, fuch as fugar, eggs, butter, bilberries, &c. and to
jfeli them to the guefts and fpe<£lators for their own pro-
fit. All feilivals are clofed v.^ith a general drinking-bout.
The mifilonaries had once an opportunity of feeing «
Imrnt offering as performed by the favages in the neigh-
borhood of Friedenshuetten.
When a boy dreams, that he fees a large bird of prey, of
ihe fize of a nian, flying towards him from the north, and
faying to him, "■ Roafi; fome meat for me," the boy is then
Ikrund to facrifice the firll deer or bear he flioots to this
bird. The facrifice is appointed by an old man, who fixes
on the day and place In which it Is to be performed. Three
(days previous to It, mefiengers are fent to invite the
gtiells, fome of whom perhaps live at a diftance. Thefe
siTemble in fome lonely place, in an houfe large cngugh to
contain
.Ch. ni. Indian Feajis and Saciifices. 43
contain tliree fires. At the middle fire the old man performs
the facrifice and hangs up the {kin 5 the other two ferve to
drefs the meat. Having fent for t^^elve (Irait and fupple
fticks, he faftens them into the ground, fo as to enclofea cir-
cular fpot, covering them with blanket?. He then rolls
twelve red-hot ftones into the enclofure, each of which is
dedicated to one god in particular. The iargcll belongs,
as they fay, to the great God in heaven •, the fecond, to the
fun, or the god of the day, the third, to the night-fun, or
the moon j the fourth, to the earth •, the fifth, to the fire ;
the fixth, to the water •, the feventh, to the dwelling or
houfe-god J the eighrh, to Indian corn ; the ninth, to the
weft ; the tenth, to the fouth ; the eleventh, to the eafl; ; and
the twelfth, to the north. The old man then takes a rattle or
cahbafli containing fome grains of Indian corn, and leading
the boy, for whom the facrifice is made, into the enclofurCy
throws a handful of tobacco upon the red-hot flones, and as
the fmoke afcends. rattles his calabafh, calling each god by-
name, and fayin-T ; " This bov N. N. offers unto thee a fine
*' fat deer ^nd a delicious diih of fapan ! Have mercy on
*' him, and grant good luck to him and his family." He
then retires to the guells feated around the other fires to
dinner : Two men being appointed to ftand at the (kin, fing
and repeat all their dreams and vifions, and the words of the
bird of prey, till all have eaten their fill. Then another man
rifes, and taking the calabaih, fings his dreams, fkipping
acrofs the whole length of the houfe. Finally, the old man,
feizing the ikin, and extending it upon his arms with the
head and horns towards the north, utters a peculiar inarticulate
found, and thus clofes the ceremony.
Befides thefe folemn feafts of facrifice they have many of
lefs importance. When facrifices are made for private par-
ties, they Invite guefts who do not belong to the family, and
who confume the whole dinner, the holl and his family being
mere fpe^lators.
Two of the miffionaries were once prefent at fuch a
feafl, and feated in a corner of the houfe appointed for
themj
44 - Lidian FenJIs, P. I.
ti>em, but not underftanding the language of the Indians,
they could only obferve the order of the feaft. In the
middle of the houfe lay a heap of Indinn corn in the ear,
around which were placed pieces of boiled deers fiefh upon
wooden fkewers. The gue(h fat in foiemn filence upon
hears-fkins in rows, according to their families. Then four
men went out before the door of the houfe, and made
3 fhort howl in a mournful ilrain : As foon as they re^
turned, the whole company, confiding of about one hun-
dred perfons, joined in a fhort fong. An old man then rofe
and fat down at the fire, in the middle of the houfe, where
he wTis anointed by a woman with melted bears greafe. She
firft poured it out of a bottle upon his head, and then pro-
ceeded to anoint his breaft, fhoulders, and arms, a general
(ilence prevailing.
Soon after the old man began to pronounce (hort fen-
tences as oracles, which were heard with great attention.
Having returned to his former feat, the whole company
joined again in a fong. After this> fix fervants were chofen,
each guell drawing a blade from a bundle of grafs, fix of
which were marked. Thefe placed themfelves immediately
behind "the heap of Indian corn, and upon a fign given by
the old man, made a proper diftribution of the deers flefh
lying upon it. This being eaten, all joined again in a third
fong, which was followed by another fign given by the old
man ; upon which the fervants began quickly to throw about
the ears of Indian corn among the guefts, who fcrambled
with great hade and alacrity, every one endeavouring to
fnatch up as many ears as he could. The feafl was then
concluded with burning the bones.
An Indian will now and then, when hunting quite
alcne in the woods, offer a facrifice to enfure fuccefs. Having
cut up a deer, and divided it into many fmall pieces, he
fcatters them about for the birds, when, retiring to fome
diftance, he amufes himfelf by obferving in what manner
they devour the prey. If an Indian hunter hears an owl
fcreech in the night, he immediately throws fome tobacco ,
into
CH.1II. Indian Feafs. ^ 45
into the fire, muttering a few v/ords, and then promlfes Hm-
felf fuccefs for the next day.
If they think, that the fouls of the dead are enraged, they
offer both meat and drink offerings to pacify them. For a
meat offering, either a hog or a bear is killed for the feaft :
It matters not, who are the guefts, but the feaff is confumed
in the dark, neither candle nor fire being lighted. Before
the company begin to eat, an old man prepares a meal for
the enraged fouls, fpeaks to them, and begs them to be paci-
fied. He then tells the company that the fouls are fatif-
fied. Rum is an effential ingredient in a drink offering-
Before the guefts begin to drink, they walk to the grave,
pour fome rum upon it, and an old man addreflcs the foul,
as above defcribed; then they muft drink the reft of the
rum, till not a drop be left. Every woman whofe child dies
in a foreign land, travels, if poflible, once a year to the
place of its burial, and offers a drink offering upon its grave.
Sacrifices are likewife made upon more trivial occafions;
for even in cafe of tooth-ach or head-ach, they ima-
gine, that the fpirits are difpleafed and rauft be pacified.
Carver relates, that an Indian chief, who accompanied him
on his journey to the falls of St. Anthony, which are takeu
-to be the habitation of the great fpirit, offered his pipe, to-
bacco-pouch, bracelets, and ear-rings, and prayed witli great
emotion to the fpirit to protect him.
In great danger, an Indian has been obferved to lie
proftrate on his face, and throwing a handful of tobacco
into the fire, to call aloud, as in an agony of diftrefs,
" There, take and fmoke, be pacified, and don't hurt me."
This has been conflrued into a worfliip of the devil. But
our mifTionaries have not been able to difcover any fuch
worfhip. The Indians abhor the devil, thinking that he is
always intent upon doing them fome mifchief, by means of
the white people, and under fuch apprehenfions, an Indian
pei-haps might endeavour to pacify him and prevent the con-
fequences of his malice.
Dreams are thought to be of great importance among
the Indians, and nothing lefs than revelations from God.
/ . But
4(5 Deceivers and Sorcerers. P. 1/
But as the Bible Itfelf and the experience of the mlffionaries
leave it without a doubt that Satan worketh in the chiidren"
of difobedience (Ephef. ii. ?.)» ^^ may certainly influence
the dreams of the unbdievinjjj Indians, and fome of them
feem to bear evident marks of the interference of this evil
fpirit.
Befides the Indian preachers, as defcribed above, there
are deceivers among them, who know how to turn their great
tendency to fuperftition to their own advantage. Some of
them pretend, that they can eafily bring rain down from
heaven. If fuch a deceiver fees fome tokens of approaching
rain after a long drought, he tells the women who tend
the gardens and plantation, that for a proper confideration of
tobacco or fomething which he may have occafion for,
he will foon put an end to the calamity, and grant them
rain. Rejoiced to hear this, they gather together whatever
they can afford, to fatisfy him. He#then goes to fome unfre-
quented fpot, makes a circle upon the ground with a crofs
in the middle, in which he places tobacco, a pumpkin and
fome red color; then, fitting down, he begins to fing and
fcream loud enough to be heard by the whole neighbor-
hood, not ceafing till it rains, and thus frequently perfuades
even the old. and fenfible Indians, that he has procured
rain by his legerdemain tricks. But fhould the figns of rain
difappear, he finds it eafy to put the credulous people off to
another day.
Another fort of deceivers are called by them night-walk-
ers. Thefe people fneak into the houfes in the night, and
fteal what they can get. The poor Indians will not allow
thefe men to be common houfe-breakers, but fay, that they
bewitch the family into a profound fleep, fo as not to be dif-
covered. '
The moft dangerous deceivers among the Indians are the
io-cz\\e:A forcerers. Some are mere boafters, who pretend to
great (kill and power, with a view to frighten the people, or
to get a name, and fuch there is no reafon to fear : But
there are among the different tribes wretches enough, whom
the devil makes ufe of as his agents, to commit murder j
and
Cli. III. Drc elvers and Sorcerers. 4'|
and it is an additional misfoTtune, that thefe enemies of
mankind are feldom known. They are certain that their
lives are in danger, as foon as they are difcovered to be
forcerers. Thus they are very cautious of letting any one in
the lead obferve their deflrucftive art, and avoid being too
free with liquor, leit they (liould betray themfelves in a
drunken fit.
Both thefe and the other deceivers, when they grow old,
wifli to in{iru61: others in their arts. They generally chufc
boys of twelve or fourteen years old for their fcholars,
whom they deceive by means of apparations in which they
are the a£lors. The moft extraordinary flories are told by
thefe boys, of the fpedlres they have feen in the woods,
when they were alone and full of apprehenfion. To one
of thefe an old man appears in a grey beard, and fays In a
foothing tone, " Do not fear, / cnfi a roch^ and thou fhalt
*' call me by this name. I am the Lord of the whole earth,
*' and of every living creature dwelling therein, of all the
** fowls of the air, and of wind and weather. No one dare
** oppofe me, and I will give thee the fame power. No one
*' (hall do thee harm, and thou needeft not to fear any
" man, if thou dofh fuch and fuch things." Then the ap-
parition begins his inflruftions in the black art, commonly
in terms fo ambiguous and figurative, that their true fenfe
can hardly be found. But having received this meflage in fo
folemn a manner, the boy's mind ruminates upon it day and
night, and as he grows up, he is confirmed in the opinion,
that a peculiar power has been imparted unto him, to perfoniu
extraordinary exploits. As he can receive no further inRruc-
tions from any one, he mull (ludy the theory and pratlice of
his art by himfelf : Though he even perceives, that he has
been grofsly impofed upon, yet he is aihamed fo own it, and
wiihing to preferve the character of an extraordinary perfon,
he continues in his diabolical practices till he grows old, and
then in his turn endeavours to deceive young boys, by the
fame tricks which were played upon him in his youth.
48 Tirefs of the Indians. P. L
CHAPTER IV.
Of the Drefs, Dwellings, and Houfekeeping of the
Indians.
THE Indians pay great attention to their drefs and or-
naments, in which indeed they difplay much fingula-
rlty, but little art.
Their drefs is light, and they confider much clothing as a
burthen. The men wear a blanket hung loofe over both
fhoulders, or only over the left, that the right arm may be
free, and tie or pin the upper ends together. Formerly thefe
coverings were made of turkey feathers, woven together
with the thread of wild hemp, but thefe are now feldom
feen. The rich wear a piece of blue, red, or black cloth
about two yards long round their walfls. In feme, the lower
feam of this cloth is decorated with ribbands, wampom, or
corals. The poor Indians cover themfelves with nothing
but a bear's fkin, and even the rich do the fame in cold
weather, or put on a pellice of beaver or other fur, with
the hair turned inward. Thefe are either tanned by rubbing
in water, or fmoke-dried, and then rubbed till they grow
foft.
Some wear hats or caps bought of the Europeans, others
go bareheaded. The men never fuflfer their hair to grow
long, and fome even pull fo much of it out by the roots,
that a little only remains round the crown of the head, form-
ing a round creii, of aboXit two inches in diameter. This Is
divided into two tails, plaited, tied with ribband, and hang-
ing down, one to the right and the other to the left. The
crown is frequently ornamented with a plume of feathers
placed either uprightoraflant. At feafts, their hair is frequently
decorated with filver rings, corals, or wampom, and even
with filver buckles. Some wear a bandage round their
heads.
Ch, IV. Brefs of the Indians; 49
heads, ornamented with as many filver buckles as it will
hold.
They beftow much time and labor in decorating their faces?
laying on frefh paint every day efpecidily if they go out to
dance. They fuppofe that it is very proper for brave men
to paint, and always (ludy a change ot fafliion. Vermillion
is their favorite color, with which they frequently paint their
whole head. Here and there black ilieaks are introduced,
or they paint one half of their face and head black and the
other red. Near the river Mufkingum a yellow ochre is
found, which, when burnt, makes a beautiful red color.
This the Huron warriors chiefly ufe for paint, nor do they
think a journey of one hundred miles too long, to provide
themfelves with it. Some prefer blue; bccaufe it is the
color of the flcy, when calm and ferene, and, being con-
fidered as an emblem of peace, it is frequently introduced as
fuch in their public orations. Therefore when they wifh to
fhow a peaceful dlfpofitlon towards other tribes or nationsj
they paint themfelves and their belts blue.
The figures, painted upon their faces, are of various kinds»
Every tjne follows his own fancy, and exerts his powers o£
invention, to excel others, and have fomething peculiar to
himfelf. One prides himfelf with the figure of a ferpent
upon each cheek, another with that of a tortoife, deer, bearj,
or fome other creature, as his arms and fignature.
Some Indians bore a hole through the cartilage of the
nofe, and wear a large pearl, or a piece of filver, gold, or
wanipom in it.
They alfo decorate the lappets of their ears with pearls,
rings, fparkling ftones, feathers, flowers, corals, or filver
crofies, after having difi:ended and lengthened them as much
as poffible.
A broad collar, made of violet wampom, is deemed a moft
precious ornament, and the rich decorate even their breafts
with it. The moft Angular part of their ornaments is
difplayed in figures made by fcarification, reprefenting
Part L 1 E ferpentS;.
50 ^ Drefs of the Indians. P. I.
ferpents, birds, and other creatures. The operation being per-
formed with a needle, gunpowder is rubbed into the punc-
tures, and as fometimes the whole upper part of their bodies
is filled with thefe drawings, they appear at a diftance to wear
a harnefs. Sometimes by thefe decorations, they acquire a
particular appellation, by which their pride is exceedingly
gratified. Thus a captain of the Iroquois, whofe breaft was
all over covered with black fcarifications, was called the Black
Prince.
The intent of thefe ornaments is not to pleafe others, but
to give themfelves a courageous and formidable appearance.
A warrior therefore never drefles with more care and ftate-
linefs, than when he goes to attend a council, or to meet the
enemies of his country in the field.
An Indian frequently appears in a white fliirt with a red
collar, put over the reft of his clothes. They are likewife
fond of getting a coat or hat laced with gold or filver. The
girdles worn by the common Indians, are made of leather
or the inner bark of a tree. Their fhockings, which reach a
good way above the knee, fupply the place of breeches.
They are made of blue and red cloth without feet. Their
flioes are of deer-ikin, without -heels, fome being very neatly
made by the women. The Ikins are tanned with the brains
of deer, which make them very foft ; fome leave the hair
upon the fkin, and fuch fur-flioes are remarkably light and
eafy. The quarters are ornamented about the ankle with
fmall pieces of brafs or tin, faftened with leather ftrings,
which make an odd jingling, when they walk or dance.
It Is common for them to rub their bodies with the fat of
bears or other animals, which is fometimes colored, with a
view to make their limbs fupple, and to guard againft the
fting of the mufquitoes and other lnfe£ls. This operation
prevents too great perfpiration, but it increafes their natural
dark color, and gives them a greafy and fmutty appear-
Ato-
Gh. IV. Br efs of the Indians i 5 1
\
A tobacco-pouch is a moft eflential piece of an Indian's
furniture. It contains his pipe and tobacco, pocket-knife,
and tinder-box, which he always wears with a fmall axe and
long knife in his girdle. Moft pouches are made of the
whole flcin of a young otter, beaver, or fox, with an opening
at the neck. Thofe who chufe to add ornaments to the
tobacco-pouch, faften pearls in the eye-fockets, or get the
women to adorn them with corals. Some wear the claw of
a bufFaloe with a large pendulous pouch of deer-fkin, ftained
with various colors, and neatly worked.
They are fond of a handfome head for their pipe, and pre-
fer thofe made of red marble. But thefe are only ufed by
the chiefs and captains, this fort of marble being rare, and
found only on the MilTifippi. A more common fort are made
of a kind of ruddle, dug by the Indians, living to the weft
of the MilTifippi, on the Marble River, wh6 fometimes bring
them to thefe countries for fale.
As the Indians are all lovers of finery and drefs, the mat*
ried men take care, that their wives adorn themfelves in a
proper manner. The Delaware men pay particular atten-
tion to the drefs of their women, and on that account clothe
themfelves rather meanly. There are many, who would
think it fcandalous to appear better clothed than their
wives. The drefs which peculiarly diftinguifhes the women,
is a petticoat, made of a piece of cloth about two yards
long, fattened tight about the hips, and hanging down a
little below the knees. This they wear day and night.
A longer one would be very troublefome in walking
through the woods or working in the fields. Their
holiday-drefs is either blue or red, and fometimes black,
hung all round, frequently from top to bottom, with red,
blue, and yellow ribbands. Moft women of rank wear a
fine white linen (hift with a red collar, reaching from their
necks, nearly to the knees. Others wear (hifts of printed •
linen or Cotton of various colors, decorated at the bread
E ? with
^2 Dfpjs of the Indians: P. I,
with a great number of filver buckles, which are alfo worn
by fcane as ornaments upon their petticoats.
The women fufFer their hair to grow without reftraint,
and thus it frequently reaches below their hips. Nothing is
thought more ignominious in women, than to have it cut ofF,
which is only now and then done, as a punifhment for dif-
orderly perfons. They anoint it with bear's-greafe, to make
it fhine.
The Delaware women nev^r plait their hair, but fold and
tie it round with a piece of cloth. Some tie it behind, then roll
it up, and wrap a ribband or the fkin of a ferpent round if,
fo as almoft to refemble a bag-wig. But the Iroquois, Sha-
wanofe, and Huron women wear a queue, down to' their
hips, tied round with a piece of cloth, and hung with
red ribbands. The rich adorn their heads with a number
of filver trinkets, of confiderable weight. This mode of
finery is not fo common among the Delawares as the Iro-
quois, who by fludylng drefs and ornament more than any
other Indian nation, are allowed to di<^ate the falhion to
the reft.
The Indian women never paint their faces with a variety
of figures, but rather make a round red fpot upon each
cheek, and redden their eyelids, the tops of their foreheads,
andfome the rim of their ears and temples. They adorn their
ears, necks, andbreafts with corals, fmall crofles, little round
efcutcheons, and crefcents, made either of filver or wam-
pom. Both men and women are fond of filver bracelets.
Very few of the Delawares and Iroquois women think it
decent to imitate the men in fcarifying their ikin. Their
ftockings and fhoes refemble thofe worn by the men, only
they wear a kind of clogs, made of linen, either with or
wichout ftrings.
For their dwellings, the Indians generally chufe a fituation
well fupplied with wood and water, and for their plantations
of Indian corn, a low and rich foil.
Their
Ch. IV. Dnjuell'ujgs of the Indians. 53
Their villages are therefore generally fituated near a lake,
river, or brook, yet fufficiently elevated to efcape the danger
of inundations, which are very common in fpring
Before their acquaintance with the Europeans^ their dwell-
ings were nothing more than huts made of bark, lined with
rufhes, and covered with either bark, ruflies, or long reed-
grafs. The Iroquois and other nations at a diftance from
the Europeans live flill in huts of this defcription. But the
Delawares have learned the ufe and convenience of block-
houfes, and either build them themfelves, or pay European
workmen for doing it.
An Indian hut is built in the following manner : They
peel trees, abounding with fap, fuch as lime-trees, &c. then
-cutting the bark into pieces of two or three yards in length,
they lay heavy ftones upon them, that they may become flat
and even in drying. The frame of the hut Is made by driving
poles into the ground, and ftrengthening them by crofs-beams.
This frame-work is covered both within and without with
the above-mentioned pieces of bark, faftened very tight
with baft or twigs of hickery, which are remarkably tough.
The roof runs up to a ridge, and is covered in the fame man-
ner. Thefe huts have one opening in the roof to let out
the fmoke, and one in the fide for an entrance. The door
is made of a large piece of bark without either bolt or lock ;
a ftick, leaning againft the outfide, being a fign that nobody
is at home. The light enters by fmall openings, furnifhed
with Aiding fhutters.
The difference in the huts of the Delawares and Iroquois
confifts in the form of the roofs, the former being angular,
and the latter round or arched. The Delaware families pre-
fer living feparately, and their houfes therefore are but fmall,
but the Iroquois build long houfes, with three or four fire-
places, for as many families, whe are related and live to-
gether. A number of thefe huts ftanding together is called
an Indian town j and if furrounded by pallifadoes, a forti-
fication. In building towns, no regular plan is obferved,
E3 bwt
^4 Furniturey Haufeheeptng^^c, P.I.
but every one builds according to his fancy. Nor have they
many large towns.
Their huts are neither convenient nor vrtW furnifhed.
They are moftly low, neither divided into roomK, nor
floored. The fireplace is in the middle of the hut ; around
which are placed benches or feats, rudely finifhed, which
ferve likewife for tables and bcdfteads. The fame blanket
that clothes them by day, ferves for a covering at night, and
the bed is a deer or bear-fkin, or a mat made of rufhes.
Some even line the infide of their houfes or huts withthefe
mats, partly by way of ornament, and partly to keep out ,the
cold.
They hang their flock of provifions and other neceflaries
upon poles, fixed acrofs to the top of the hut. Formerly
they kindled a fire by turning or twirling a dry ftick, with
great fwiftncfs upon a dry board, ufing both hands. Their
knhres were made of thin flint, in a long triangular (hape,
the long fides being fharpened. Their hatchets were wedges,
made of hard ftones, fix or eight inches long, fharpened at
the edge, and faftened to a wooden handle. They were not
ufed to fell trees, but only to peel them, or to kill their
enemies. Their pots and boilers were made of clay, mixed
with pounded fea fliells, and burnt fo hard, that they were
black throughout.
Such knives, hatchets, and large broken pots, are fl:ill found
in various places where formerly the Indians dwelt. But fince
the Europeans came into the country, the Indians are pro-
vided with flint and fteel, European knives and hatchets,
and light brafs kettles. They make their own fpoons, and
large, round difhes of hard wood, with great neatnefs. la
eating, many make ufe of the fame fpoon, but they com-
monly fup their victuals out of the difh.
Gleanlinefs is not common among the Indians. Their
pots, difhes, and fpoons,, are feldom waflied, but left for the
dogs to lick. The Delawares rather excel the Iroquois in
cleanlinefs i and the Unami and Wawiachtano tribes are much
cleaner
Ch.IV. Firing, SS
cleaner than the Monfys. Yet there are fome houfes and
huts amongthelroquois which have a clean and neat appear-
ance, and afford a comfortable night's lodging for an Eu-
ropean. The dogs being continually in the houfe and at the
fire, they bring fleas in abundance. Bugs and other vermin
are numerous j but it is remarkable that the common fly re-
forts niuch more to the houfes of the Europeans than to
thofe of the Indians. About the latter the glow-bug or fire-
fly appears in large numbers in the fummer evenings. Their
tails are as bright as a red-hot coal, and half a dozen of them
put together call light enough to read the fmalleft cha-
raiSlers. They are nioft numerous in fwampy places, where
their fwirms appear like innumerable fparks flying to and
fro.
Th« Indians keep a conftant fire burning in their houfes,
which confumes much wood. There is pitcoal enough in
the country, which in Pittfburg is ufed both in {loves and
fmiths' {hops, but the Indians do not value it, having abun-
dance of wood. Formerly when they had no axes but thofe
made of flone, as above mentioned, they ufed to kindle a
fire around large trees, and to burn them fo long till they
fell ; then by applying fire to different parts of the {lem and
branches, they divided them into fmaller pieces for ufe*
This cuftom flill prevails in fome places.
They never think of fparing the foreft trees, for they not
only burn more wood than is nece{rary for houfe confump-
tlon, but de{lroy them by peeling. The greateft havock among
the foreft trees is made by fires, which happen either acci-
dentally, or are kindled by the Indians, who in fpring, and
fometimes in autumn, burn the withered grafs, that a frelh
crop may grow for the deer. Thefe fires run on for many
miles, burning the bark at the roots of the trees in fuch a
manner, that they die. A foreft of fir trees is in general ut-
terly deftroyed by thefe fires.
From thefe and other caufes, fire-wood at laft begins to be
fcarce, and neceflity obliges them to feek other dwelling-
E 4 places,
^6 Marriages of the Indians. F. I.
places, as the Indians cannot bear the trouble of fetching
fire-wood from any diftant part. Thus the building of
a new town is frequently undertaken merely for this
reafon.
CHAPTER V.
Marriages an4 Education of Children amqn^ the
Indians,
THE Delawates and Iroquois marry early in life, the
men fometimes in their eighteenth, and the women in
their fourteenth year, but they never marry near relations.
According to thsir own account, the Indian nations were
divided into tribes, for no other purpofe, than that no one
might ever, either through temptation or mirt:ake,marryanear
relation, which at pri.f .t is fcarcely poflible, for whoever
intends to marry, muil take a perfon of a different tribe.
With the Iroquois, it is not unufual to fix upon children of
four or five years old with a view to future marriage. In
this cafe the mother of the girl is obliged, to bring a bafket
pf bread every week iiuo the houfe of the boy, and to furnilh
him with fire-wood. The parents of the boy muft fupply
the girl with meat and clothes, till they are both of a proper
age. Tl;eir marriage however folely depends upon their
own free will, for there is never any compulfion.
When a Delaware girl is out of order for the firfi; time,
fhe muft withdraw into an hut at fome diftance from the
village. Her head is wrapped up for twelve days, fo that
fhe can fee nobody, and Ihe muft fubmit to frequent vomits
and fafting, and abftain from all labor. After this Ihe is
wafhed
Ch. V. ' Marriages. 57
wafhed and new clothed, but confined to a folltary life for
the fpace of two months, at the clofe of which (he is de-
clared marriageable. Other Indian nations obferve fewer
iceremonies on this occafion.
If an Indian man wifnes to marry, he firft fends a prefent
of blankets, cl6th, linen, and perhaps a few belts of wam-
pom, to the neareft relations of the perfon he has fixed upon.
If they happen to be pleafed, both with the prefent and the
character and condudl of the fuitor. they propofe the matter
to the girl, who generally decides ap-i-eeably to the wifh of her
parents and relations, and- is afterwards led to the dwelling
of the bridegroom without further ceremony. But if the
other party chufes to decline the propofal, they return the
prefent, by way of a friendly negative.
After the marriage, the prefent made by the fuitor, is di-
vided amongft the fn6nds of the young wife'. Thefe return
the civility by a prefent of Indian corn, beans, kettles, difhes,
fpoonS) fieves, balkets, hatchets, Sec. brought in folemn pro-
ceffion into the hut of the new-married couple. The lat-
ter commonly lodge in a friend's houfe, till they can ere£l a
dwelling of their own.
Some nations more to the weft look upon adultery as a
very great cr.me, and punifh it with feverity, but the young
people among the Delawares, Iroquois, and other nations
connefled with them, have feldom marriages of )ong con-
tinuance, efpecially if they have not children foon. Some-
times an Indian forfakes his wife, becaufe flie has a child to
;ruckle, and marries another, whom he forfakes in her turn
for the fame reafon.
The women alfo forfake the men, after having received
many prefents, and knowing that they have no more to ex-
pe<Sl. They then marry another, from whom they may ex-
pea more. It frequently happens that the woman forfakes
her hufband, becaufe fiie never loved him, and was only per-
fuaded by her relations to accept of him for a time, that they
might keep his prefents. The Indians therefore confider
? their
j;8 ^ Marriages. P.I.
their wives as flrangers. It is a common faying among them,
" My wife is not my friend," that is, fhe is not related to
me, and I need not care for her.
However, not every Indian is fo very indifferent at the
light behavior of his wife. Many an one takes her unfaith-
fulnefs fo much to heart, that in the height^ of his defpair
he fwallows a poifonous rooty which certainly kills him in two
hours. Women alfo have been known to deftroy themfelves
for grief, on account of their hufbands' treachery. To
prevent this calamity they make ufe of a certain preparation
called befon [a medium between poifon and phyfic], to which
they afcribe a magic power. They believe, that if fome of
it is carried conllantly about by one of the parties, it will
enfure the love and fidelity of the other. But if this is
found out, the other party is fo offended, that the marriage is
immediately diffolved, and no reconciliation can ever take
place. Many Indians live very fociably in the married
ftate, and keep to one wife. Thefe regular families
have the moft children. Some indeed live peaceably
with their wives, merely that they may not be feparated
from their children. Others keep concubines, and though
the wives do not fuffer them to live in the houfe, yet
they connive at it for the fake of peace and on account of
their children.
But there is no very flrong tie between the married
people in general, not even between the oldeft. A very
little trifle, or* one bai word, furniflies ground for a di-.
vorce.
Polygamy is permitted among the Delawares and Iroquois,
but not as common as with other Indian nations, whofe chiefs
may keep fix, ten, or more wives, and the common people
as many as they can maintain. A Delaware or Iroquois
Indian has feldom two, and hardly ever more wives: for
their love of eafe renders domefhic peace a moft valuable
treafure. The negroes and Indians intermarry without any
fcruple.
The
Ch, V. Houfeheepjng^ ^c. 59
The Indians afFed an appearance of great coolnefs
towards their neareft relations. When the children and
other kindred go to meet the father of the family, after a
long abfcnce, he pafTes by them with an haughty air, never
returns their falutation, nor afks how his children do ; for
circumftances relating to his own family and kinfmen,
feem indifferent to him in time of war. This cool behavior
i is generally thought a mark of a noble mind, but it would
be a great miftake to infer, that they arc divefted of the feel-
ings of nature.
The houfekeeping of the married people is very different
in a Delaware and an Iroquois family. The Delaware
Indian hunts and fiflies, provides meat for the houfehold,
keeps his wife and children in clothing, builds and repairs
the houfe or hut, and makes fences round the plantations.
The woman cooks the viftuals, fetches fire-wood, and la-
bors in the field and garden, though, as to the latter, the
hufband will afiift occafionally.
But in managing the affairs of the family the hufband
leaves the whole to his wife, and never interferes in things
committed to her. She cooks vidluals regiilarly twice
a day. If (he negle£ls to do it in proper time, or even
altogether, the hufband never fays a w^ord, but rather goes
to fome friend, being afTured that he {hall find fomething to
eat. Nor does he ever offer to put wood on the fire, except
he has guefts, or fome other extraordinary call to do it. If
his wife longs for meat, and gives him a hint of it, he goes
out early in the morning without vi£tuals, and feldom returns
without fome game, fhould he even be obliged to flay out
till late in the evening. "When he returns with a deer, he
throws it down before the door of the hut, and walks in,
faying nothing. But his wife, who has heard him lay down
his burden, gives him fomething to eat, dries his clothes,
and then goes out to bring In the game. She may then do
with it whatever Ihe pleafes. He fays nothing If {he even
gives the greateft part of it to her friends, which is a very
common
6'o Houfekeeplng^ ^c. P. I.
common cuftom. If the hufband intends to go a-huntlng,
or to take a journey, he gives his wife notice, and then ihe
knows that it is her bufinefs to furnifli him with proper
provlfions.
If any diflatisfa^tion ariies between them, the hufhand
commonly takes his gun and walks off into the woods, with-
out telling his wife whither he is going. Sometimes he
does not return till after fome days, when both parties have
frequently forgot their quarrels, and live again in peace.
Moft married people underftand, that whatever the huf-
band gets by hunting, belongs to the wife. Therefore, as
foon as he has brought the fkins and meat home, he con-
Cders them as his wife's property. On the other hand,
whatever the wife reaps from the garden and plantation,
belongs to the hufband, from which fhe mud provide him
•with the neceffary food both at home and abroad. Some
men keep the ikins, and purchafe clothes for their wives and
children, that they may not be in want. The cows belong
to the wife, hut the horfes to the hufband, who generally
makes his wife a prefent of one for her own ufe.
All this proves that the Delaware women live as well as
the fltuation of an Indian will permit. But the women arc
not fo well treated among the Iroquois. A wild Iroquois
is proud of his llrength, courage, and other manly virtues,
and treats his wife with coolnefs, contempt, and often with
abufe. He confiders every occupation but that of a hunter
or warrior in a defpicable point of view, and therefore leaves
every other confideration to his wife. Thus the women have
bufinefs enough upon their hands. The wife muft not
only do all the work in the houfe and in the field, but make
fences, keep the houfe in repair, and in general, perform all
kind of drudgery. In travelling fhe muft carry the bundles,
and fometimes her hulband's gun, and when he has fhot a
deer, the wife mull convey it home.
The Indian women are in general of a very ftrong bodily
conftitutlon, and feldom want any affiftance in child-bearing.
They
Ch. V. Education of Children, 6 1
They have no midwives, but there are clever and expe-
rienced vi'omen enough, who are able to give both afliit^nce
and advice in time of labor. When the time approaches,
they prepare every thing neceflary both for thcmfelves and
the child, nor do they defiil from their ufiial employment in
the houfe, till about an hour or tvro before their delivery.
Some very flout women are delivered when alone in the
foreft, and are capable of conveying the new-born infant
home.
After ths birth, the infant is immediately laid upon a board
covered with mofs, and wrapped up in a fiiin or piece of
cloth, little arched pieces of v/ood being faftened to the fides of
th.e board, to hinder the babe from falling off; for when the
mother is engaged in her houfehold work, ihe 1-mngs this rude
cradle upon feme peg, cr branch of a tree. But this prac-
tice gets more and more out of fafliion.
Moft mothers fuckle their infants till they are tv»^o or more
years old. If they cannot do this, foup made of Indian corn
fupplies the place of milk. Though they marry very young,
they have feldom more than fix children. Their love to
them is very great, and the favor of the parents is
gained by nothing fo eafily, as by careffing, or giving
fojjiething to their little children. The mothers ge-
nerally carry them In a blanket faftened upon their backs.
The ancient pernicious cuftom of felting the infant up-
right upon a board, to which its feet were faftened with
thongs, and of carrying the board with a ftrap upon their
backs, is almoft entirely abolifhed. The many inftances of
children being deftroyed byjhis practice have made it uni-
verfally detefted.
The children are always confidered as the property of the
wife. If a divorce takes place, they all follov/ her. Thofe
indeed that are grown up, may ftay with the father, if they
pleafe. Both parties are very defirous of gaining the love of
their children, and this accounts for their conduct towards
them. They never oppofe their inclinations, that they may
not
6t Education of Children. P. I,
not lofe their afFe£Hon. Their education therefore Is not
much attended to. Their children have entirely their own
will, and never do any thing by compulfion. The parents
are very careful, not to beat or chaftife them for any fault,
fearing left the children might remember it, and revenge
themfelves on fome future occafion. Yet many well-bred
children are found among them, who pay great attention
and refpe(5l to their parents, and are civil to ftrangers.
This is certainly a confequence of the mild treatment they
receive, for the contrary generally produces bitternefs,
hatred, and contempt.
They do not fpend much upon the drefs and equipment
of their children. Boys go naked till they are fix years old«
The firft piece of drefs they receive is a narrow flip of blue
cloth paffing in a loofe manner between their legs, andfaften-
cd by a ftrap round their bodies. But the girls wear a light
coat as foon as they can walk.
The father generally gives the child a name, either in its
fixth or feventh year, and pretends that it has been fuggefted
to him in a dream. This is done at a facrifice, in a fong,
and they call it " praying over the child." The fame ce-
remony is performed, when an adult perfon receives a name
of honor in addition to the former. But if it is left to the
mother to give a name, fhe ufes little ceremony, and calls it
after fome peculiar mark or character in it, for inftance, the
Beautiftd^ or the Great Eye. If they do not love it, they chufe
a difagreeable name for it.
As the girls grow up, the mothers endeavour to inftru(5l
them in all kinds of work, firft taking them as afliftants in
the houfekeeping, and by degrees making them acquainted
with every part of a woman's bufinefs. But the boys
are never obliged to do any thing : They loiter about, live
as they pleafe, and follow their own fancies. If they do mif-
chief to others, they are gently reproved, and the parents will
rather pay twice or three times over for the damage done,
than punifh them for it. As they are deftined for huntfmen
and
€h. V. Education of Children. 63
and warriors, they exercife themfelves very early with bows
and arrows, and in {hooting at a mark. As they grow up,
they acquire a remarkable dexterity in {hooting birds, fquir-
rels, and fmall game. When the boy arrives at a proper age,
he receives a fowling-piece or rifle-barrelled gun. The firft
deer he {hoots, proves the occafion of a great folemnity. If
it happens to be aback, it is given whole to fome. old man,
who makes a feaft of it for all the old men in the town.
During this repaft, they give good counfel to the boy (who
is merely a fpe£tator)j regarding the chafe and all the circum-
ftances of his future life, exhorting him above all things to
revere old age and grey hairs, and to be obedient to their
words. They then join in prayer to God, to grant him^
long life and happinefs. If he {irft happens to kill a doe,
he gives it to fome old woman, who treats the old women in
the fame manner.
Sometimes young boys are prepared in a moft lingular
manner for the ftation they are intended to fill in future,
with a view to form a judgment of their capacity. They
are made to faft fo often a-nd fo long, that their bodies be-
come emaciated, their minds deranged, and their dreams
wild and extravagant. Frequent queflions are put to them
on this occafion, till they have had, or pretended to have had
a dream, declared to be ominous. The fubjedt being mi-
nutely confidered and interpreted, they are folemnly in-
formed, what will be their future deftination. The impref-
fion thus made upon their minds is lading, and the older
they grow, the more earneftly they ftrive to fulfil their de-
ftination, conRdering themfelves as men of peculiar gifts,
far exceeding all others. By virtue of thefe extraordinary
revelations, they become phyficians, hunters, rich men, for-
cercrs, or captains, according to the tenor of the dream, or
in other words, they then willingly conform to the mode of
life, planned for them by their parents and relations. In
their private life, they live without controul, proud of
their liberty, and following their own inclinations.
In this the parents delight, and moft fathers boafi of
the
$4 Education of Children, ^c. P. L
the Independence of their fons' mind. By their inftruc-
tions and example the young people are taught from their
infancy to fuppfefs their paflions, and this is done in fo ef-
fe£lual a manner, that the proofs they exhibit of their com-
mand of temper are truly aftonifhing.
When the parents fee their children provided for, or able
to provide for themfelves, they no longer care for their fup-
port, nor do they even think of faving a good inheritance for
them. For every Indian knows, that whatever he leaves at
his death, is divided among his friends.
If a woman becomes a widow, the relations of the de-
ceafed take every thing belonging to him, and give it to
their friends, without keeping a fingle article. They a£l
thus, becaufe they wifli to forget death, and are afraid left
the fnuUeft part of the property of the deceafed fhould re-
mind them of it. Thus the children have no more claim
upon any inheritance, than the widow and other near rela-
tions. But if a dying Indian leaves his gun or any other part
ofhis furniture to a particular friend, the legatee is immediately
put in pofieffion, and no one difputes his right. Whatever the
hufband has given to his wife during his lifetime, remains
her property. Therefore we need not wonder that a married
Indian pair {hould not have their goods in common : for
otherwife the wife would be left wholly defhitutc after her
hufband's death, and the hufband would lofe his all, wheri
his wife dies.
According to the ancient rule, a widow fhould not marry
again within a year after the death of her hufband : for the
Indians fay that he does not forfake her before that time,
and then his foul goes to the manfions of departed fpi-
rits.
She mud however endeavour to live by her own induftry,
and commonly fuffers great want, efpeclally if flie has
young children. 'She is not permitted to purchafe any
meat, for the Indians are fuperftitioufly perfuaded, that
their guns would fail, and prevent them from fhooting any
.mgre deer, if a widow fliould eat of the game they have
killed.
€h. V. Focdi Agrkukure, ^-c^ €5
killed. But now and then a kind friend will venture to
tranfgrefs the rule, and give her fome meat. As foon as the
firft year of her widowhood is paft, the friends of her de-
ceafed hulband clothe and provide for l^crand her children.
They alfo propofe another hufband, or at leaft tell her, that
flie is nov/ at liberty to chufe for herfelf. But if {he has
not attended to the prefcribed rule, but married within the
year, they never trouble themfelves about her again. The
fame is obferved, with rei^iedl to a widower, by the friends
of his deceafed wife ; for they ftill confider him as belonging
to their family.
If he has remained a widower one whole year, they ge-
nerally propofe a woman according to their mind, that he
may foon marry again, and prefer a fifter of the departed, if
one be living.
I will further obferve, that the family connexions of the
Indians are commonly very extenfive, on account of their
frequently changing their wives.
CHAPTER VI.
Food, Agriculture, and Breeding ef Cattle among the
Indians,
THE common food of the Indians confifts of meat,
fiih, all leguminous pulfe and garden fruit. They
eat almoft all animals they take by hunting, but deer and
bears are their favorite food.
Neither the Iroquois, Delaware, nor any nations In con-
nexion with them, eat their meat raw, but frequently with-
out fait, though they have it in abundance.
Both near the Ohio and the Mulkingum are remarkably
good fait fprings. They generally burft out near a fmall
Part I. F brook.
66 Food, Jgriculturey ^c. P. L
brook, or upon a fandy ifland formed in It. But the in-
dolence of the Indians Is fuch, that they rather buy fait from
the Europeans at a very high price, than take what God has
given them. Their meals are not feived with great clean-
linefsj and confift chiefly of one difh. They eat when they
are hungry, without any fixed time for it. In roafting they
faften the meat to a fpit, made of hard wood.
They are fond of mufcles and oyfters, and fuch who live
near an oyfter-bed will fubfift for weeks together upon them.
They alfo eat the land-tortolfe, which is about a fpan
broad, and rather more in length; and even locufts are
ufed for food. Thefe come frequently in large fwarms, co-
vering and deftroying even the bark of the trees.
The principal pulfe of the Indians, is the fo called Indian
corn (Zea Mays*). That cultivated by the Iroquois Is a
variety, differing from, that planted by the Delawares on the
river Mulklngum. The former ripens fooner than the latter,
which probably would never ripen in a colder climate. This
is the chief produce of the Indian plantations. They chufe
low and rich grounds near a river or brook, which fponta-
neoufly yield plentiful crops for many years. But when the
flrength of the foil Is exhaufled, they remove their planta-
tions, for they know nothing of the ufe of manure, and
have land enough.
In mod places they muft firft clear the land of trees orbrufh-
wcod. The former they defxroy by flrlpplng off the bark
around the Hem. Their plantations are furrounded with high
fences, chiefly to keep off the horfes, which feed in the woods
without a keeper.
The time for planting Indian corn, is when there is no
further expe£latIon of a froft, and the Indians judge of this
by obferving the hazel-nut (coryllus avellana) In bloom. The
culture of Indian corn cofts the women much trouble, for
the richnefsbf the foil produces abundance of weeds. They
ufed formerly the flioulder-blade of a deer, or a tortolfe-
* The Latin names are taken from Linnaeus.
(hell,
Ch. VI. Fvody Agriculture y ^c. 67
fhell, fliarpened upon a flone, and failened to a thick (lick,
inftead of an hoe; but now they have iron fpades and
hoes. The corn grows about eight feet high, with a ftalk
about an inch in diameter, and when unripe, is full of a fweet
juice like fugar.
The Delawares and Iroquois drefs the Indian corn in
twelve different ways : i. They boil it in the hufk, till foft
and fit to eat ; or, 2. Parboil it, and having rubbed the huik
off with {harp leys, wafli and boil it over again. 3. They
roafl; the whole ear in hot aflies, as it is taken from the ilalk.
4. They pound it fmall, and then boil it foft. 5. They grind it
as fine as flour by means of a wooden peftle and mortar,
clear it from the hufks, and make a thick pottage of it. 6.
They knead the flour with cold water, and make cakes about
a hand's breath, and an inch thick. Thefe they inclofe in leaves
and bake in hot aflies, putting live coals upon them ; and
ufe them as bread. 7. They mix "dried bilberries with the
flour, to give the cakes a better relifli. 8. They chop roaflied
or dried deer's-flefh, or fmoked eels, into fmall pieces, and
boil them with the corn. 9. They boil the grits made of it
with frefli meat, and this is one of their mofh common meals,
with which they eat the bread defcribed above, i o. They roafl:
the corn in hot aflies till it becomes thoroughly brown. Then
they pound it to flour, mix it with fugar, and prefs it down
forcibly into a bag. This ferves for citamon. 1 1. They take
the corn before it is ripe, and let it fwell in boiling water.
It is then dried and laid by for ufe. The white people buy
it in this ftate to make foup of, or foak it again, and ufe it
with oil and vinegar as falad. 1 2. They roafl: the whole
ear, when grown, but ftill full of juice. This is a well-
flavored difli, but waflies much corn. They therefore like to
have their plantations at fome difliance from their dwellings,
that they may not be tempted to waflie fo much, or at leaft
increafe the diflaculty of getting it. They likewife plant
a fpecies of pulfe, called ground-nut (arachis hypogoea),
becaufe the root only is eaten. When they are boiled, they
taflie almofl; like chefnuts, but camiot be eaten raw.
F2 la
69 Pood, jlgriadturey ^c, P. I,
In fome places they plant the common bean (phafeolus
vulgaris), which is generally eaten with bear's-flefli.
' Potatoes are originally a North American root, and arefaid
to have been firft brought to Europe by Sir "Walter Raleigh.
They are cultivated by fome.
They have four different forts of pumpkins (cucurbita
pepo). of which bread is made by the nations more to the
weftward j the largeft of them is hung up by the Indians for
winter ufe, as it will keep fcveral months in that ftate.
Melons grow by culture only.
Cabbage, turneps, and other garden fluff, are now very
common, the Indians having received the feeds from the
Europeans.
Agriculture is more attended to by the Iroquois than the
DelawareSjbut by both merely to fatisfy their moft prefling
wants, for they are even fatisfied with thofe eatable herbs
and roots which grow without culture, efpecially potatoes and
parfnips. Of the latter they make a kind of bread.
They preferve their crops in round holes, dug in the earth
at fome diftance from the houfes, lined and covered with dry
leaves or grafs. They commonly keep the fituation of thcfe
magazines very fecret, knowing that if they are found out,
they muft fupply the wants of every needy neighbor, as long
as any thing is left. This may occafi'on a famine, for fome
are fo lazy, that they will not plant at all, knowing that the
more indufhrious cannot refufe to divide their ftore with
them. The induftrious therefore not being able to enjoy
more from their labor than the idle, by degrees contrail
their plantations. If the winter happens to be fevere, and
the fnow prevents them from hunting, a general famine en-
fues, by which many die. They are then driven by hunger
to drefs and eat the roots of grafs or the inner bark of trees,
efpecially of young oaks.
The country is plentifully covered with plants, flirubs,
and trees, which bear fruits. Straivberries grow fo large and
in fuch abundance, that whole plains are covered with them
as with a fine fcarlet clot^^. They are remarkably well flavored.
Coofe"
I
Ch. VI. Foody Agnculturey ^c. 6^
Goofeherries (ribesgrofrulana),^/^^^ currants (ribes nigrum),
blackberries (rubus fruticofus), r^^frrzV/ (rubus Idaeus), and
lilberries^ (vacclnum myrtillus), grow in great plenty ; the
latter chiefly upon the hills. Red currants (ribes rubrum)
are cultivated chiefly in gardens. There are two forts of
cranberries ,- the one grows in fwampy places upon a fhort
flirub, not as high as bilberry bufhes, which is our common
cranberry (vaccinum oxycoccus), the other upon a fmall
tree.
The chonhberry-tree (ribes nigrum Pennfylvanicum) bears
a fmall black berry, the juice of which is fo exceedingly
poignant, that it has the moft difagreeable efFeft upon the
throat when fwallowed from which its name is derived.
Alulherry trees (morus rubra) grow to a great height, and
bear a brown fruit, which the turkeys feed upon eagerly, as
they do alio upon the leaves that drop in autumn.
Fif«(fj- (vitisvinifera) are numerous, and grow remarkably
thick and long in low grounds. By their tendrils they fre-
quently climb up the higheft trees, and defcend from their
tops, to the ground. The grapes have a four tafte.
On high lands the (hoots are flender and fhort, being fre-
quently difturbed in their growth by the Indians fetting
fire to the brufh-wood; but their grapes are fweeter, and
wine may be made of them. The bears go often in fearch
of vines, and always chufe the befl and fweeteit grapes.
Among the different fpecies of cherrj'-trees, the clujier
cherry (prunus padus) is remarkably proHfic Thefe cher-
ries are black, about as large as currants, and grow in clufters.
They arc not eatable, but impart a delicious flavor and high
color to brandy. The wood of this tree is well fuited for
cabinet v/ork. The red cherry tree (prunus Canadenfis)
never grows above eight or ten feet high, is alfo very prolific,
and bears its fruit in clufters. They are feldom eaten, their
tafte refembling that of allum. The fafid cherry (prunus
cerafus) grows only in fandy ground. The tree is about four
feet high, and the cherries crowd the branches in fuch
abundance, that they weigh them down to the ground.
F 3 They
yo Food^ Agriculture^ ^c. P. I.
They have a delicious fmell, but are no larger than a muf-
quet ball. They are preferred to other cherries for making
cherry brandy. Befides the above-mentioned, there is another
fpecies of cherry in great plenty, chiefly growing on the
banks of the Mufkinguni upon an high and flout tree, the
wood of vi^hich is red, and very proper for cabinet work.
The plum tree (prunus domeftica) is common. The Indians
prefer thofe bearing red and green plums, both of which
have a good tafte and agreeable fmell.
Peach trees (amygdalus Perfica) grow In fome places in
great abundance ; as alfo wild citrons (podophyllum pel-
tatum). Thefe grow upon a fprig not above a foot in height,
and have an agreeable tafte, between four and fweet. But
the root is a deadly poitbn, which will kill in a few hours.
Crabs (malus fylveftris) grow in great plenty, and the
Indians being very fond of fliarp and four fruit, eat them in
abundance. The fruit of the papavj-tree (carica papaya)
bears a beautiful fruit, in form and fize refembling a middle-
fized cucumber, having a yellow flcin, an agreeable fmell and
tafte, and two or three kernels like almonds.
Of the common chefnut (fagus caftanea) there are large
woods. The fruit is rather fmaller than the chefnut of
Europe, but fweeter and more palatable. When they are
ripe, the Indians, to fave themfelves the trouble of gathering
them, hew down the tree. They may be eaten raw, but are
commonly boiled, and make a rich difh. Sometimes they
are roafted like cofFee-beans, and a kind of beverage made-
of them, nearly refembling coffee in color and tafte, but of
a laxative nature. They have another kind of chefnut,
which is large, but not fit to eat.
Pinkep'inh (fagus pumila) is a fhrub of about two yards
in height, bearing a flower nearly refembling that of the
chefnut-tree, but fmaller. The fruit is of the chefnut kind,
oval, pointed at both ends, with a dark brown fhell, and in
tafte like a very fweet hazel-nut.
The common lualnut-tree (juglans regia) grows moftly In
low valleys and in a rich foil. It grows lar^e and high, fpread-
ing
Ch. VI. ^ Food, Agriculture^ ^c. 7*
ing its brandies remarkably wide. The nuts have a thin
(hell, and the kernel is very palatable. Befides this, there are
two fpecies common in this country, called the ivhite (juglans
alba) and the hlacl walnut (juglans cinerea), deriving their
names from the color of the wood, though, ftridly fpeaking,
the former is not white, but grey. The latter is of a dark
brown, almoft violet, and is ufed by cabinet-makers for
tables, book-cafes, and other furniture. The nuts of both
have a hard (hell, and the kernel is oily, and but feldom eaten.
The hiccory nut is a fpecies of walnut (juglans alba). One
fort of hiccory has a rough bark and white wood, of a fine
grain, and full of juice. The nut is enclofed in a thick, hard
fhell, and has an agreeable tafte. But the other fort of
hiccory with a fmoothbark bears a bitter nut, from which an
ufeful laxative oil may be extra£led. The Indians gather
a great quantity of fweet hiccory nuts, which grow in great
plenty in fome years, and not only eat them raw, but extradl
a milky juice from them, which taftes well and is nourifti-
ing. Sometimes they extra£l: an oil, by firll roafting
the nut in the fliell under pot-afhes, and pounding them to
a fine mafh, which they boil in water. The oil fwim-
ming on the furface is fkimmed off and ufed in their
cookery.
The butter or oil-nut tree (juglans nigra) grov/s chiefly
in meadows, in a warm foil. The ftem feldom exceeds three
feet in circumference, has many branches, and the leaves re-
femble thofe of the walnut. The nut alfo has a fhell like
a walnut-fhell, but it is fofter, confiderably longer and thicker,
and contains a much larger kernel, full of fweet-fmelling oil.
The inner bark of this tree makes a good purple ftain, but
isfaid to vary its fliade with the month in which it is peeled off.
The hazel-nut (corylus avellana) is exaflly like that of
Europe,
The Delawares change their dwelling-place too often
to cultivate orchards, but am.ong the Iroquois fome are found.
Neither of them know any thing of flower-gardens.
■ F4 • Ne
75 J^oody Agriculture^ IzTc. P. T.
No fruit-tree is fo much efteemed by the Indians as the
maple (acer faccharinum), of which they make fugar. They
have two fpecies, the foft and the hard maple.
The fap of the latter is remarkably fweet. The wood has
beautiful veins, and is ufed in cabinet work. It grows
chiefly about fprings, upon an eminence, and its flower is red»
The foft maple yields more fap, but not of fo fweet a taftco
Nor are the veins of the wood fo beautiful. It grows chiefly
in rich meadows and valleys, and has a white flower, flrait
ftem, and fewer branches than the hard. The leaves are
larger, and of a dark green color. The wood is fplit with
more eafe, though very tough and hard. The largeft
of thefe trees is about two or more feet in diameter.
Thofe of a middle fize, young and ftill growing, yield the moft
fap. The Delawares call it the ftone tree, on account of
the hardnefs of its wood, but the Iroquois, fugar tree. The
fap is found in the greateft plenty and perfection in fpring,
which is about February on the Ohio and Mufkingum, and
March in the more northern countries. Then the feafon of
fugar-boiling commences, though near the Mufkingum, fugar
is boiled both in fpring, autumn, and winter, in cafe of need.
The method of proceeding is as follows :
Each family provides brafs kettles for boiling, and a number
of fmaller and larger wooden troughs or difhes, made of
bark, for receiving the fap. When every thing is prepared,
an oblique incifion is made in the tree, v/hich is renewed
twice or thrice during the time of its running. A thin wedge
of about three or four inches broad being forced into the
lower part of the incifion, a funnel made of bark isintroducedj
by which the juice is conveyed into the wooden troughs or
diflics.
The fap flows mod plentifully, when it freezes at night,
and the fun fliines in the day. At night it commonly ceafes
to run, when the weather is either warm or rainy, or when
it has not frozen for a night or two. The ftate of the
weather determines the length of the flowing feafon to be
Ch.VI. Foody Agriculture f ^c. 73
one or two months. Towards the end of It the fap begins
to flow once or twice in great quantities both by day and
night ; but after that, it is not fo good, and only fit for
treacle. The fap, which is of a brown color, is put into
brafs kettles, and, without any further addition, boiled upon
a flow fire, till it becomes as thick as honey -, then more is
added and boiled down, which becomes of a Hill darker
color. Out of thefe kettles it is poured into broad wooden
dlfhes of about tv/o inches in depth, and ftirred about iu
them till it is cold, by which the fugar is granulated, and be-
comes as fine as the Weft Indian. If they have no dilhes
of this kind, they let it cool in the kettles, and form it into
cakes, which, when cold, are very hard. This fugar is ufed
by the Indians either to fweeten their victuals, or in the
place of bread : and it is thought more wholefome, and fweeter
than our common brown fugar.
Sugar-boiling is chiefly the employment of women, and
they find it very lucrative. A kettle holding between fixty
and feventy quarts, with two of a fmaller fize for ladles,
will boil with eafe near two hundred pound of fugar in one
feafon, befides a confiderable quantity of treacle. There is
feldom any want of fap, for the maple is uncommonly full
of it. Inftances have been known, of one tree producing
above three hundred quarts of good fap for fugar, and as much
more for treacle. About thirty-five or forty quarts of fap
make one pound of fugar -, thus about eight pound of fugar,
and as many of treacle, may be colle<Sled from one tree. In
common thefe trees will laft eight or nine years, and the fap
flows, even when the ftem is cut all roujd.
Tobacco [mcoiizxwxm. tabacum) is originally an Americart
plant, and was not known in Europe before the year 1584.
The Indians confider it as one of the moft eflential necef-
faries of life. The fpecies in common ufe with the De-
lawares and Iroquois is fo ftrong, that they never fmoke it
alone, but mix it with the dried leaves of the fumac (rhus
glabrum), or with another herb, called by them degolhnahy
the
^jf Foodj Agriculture J l^c. P. I.
the leaves of which refemble bay leaves, or vi^ith the red
bark of a fpecies of willow, called by them red wood.
The common drink of the Indians at "their meals Is
nothing but the broth of the meat they have boiled, or fpring
water. But they likewife prepare a kind of liquor of dried
bilberries, fugar and water, the taile of which is very agree-
able to them.
The wild Indians have ? mofl infatiable inclination for
fpirituous liquors, and ufe them to excefs. Brandy, and par-
ticularly rum, with which, alas ! the Europeans have made
them acquainted, deflroy more lives than all their wars.
Breeding of cattle is ftill lefs attended to by the Indians
than agriculture. They would rather hunt game in the
forells, than tend cattle at home. Some indeed have begun
to keep black cattle to get milk and butter, but moft Indians
arc fatisfied with dogs, pigs, and horfes.
Their dogs, efpecially thofe among the Delawares, are
of the wolf kind: When irritated, they (how their teeth;
but will never attack a wolf, though furioufly fet on. The
pigs do not differ from thofe of Europe. The horfe is a
very favorite animal with the Indians. They are never ufed
In hufbandry, but only for riding, and are not well fed.
They are commonly fent, v/ith a bell about their neck, into
the meadows or forefts to feek their own food ; and return
fometimes by night only, to lick the earth, impregnated with
urinary falts, in the neighbourhood of the huts. If the
Indians want to ride, they mud firft go to the forefts to catch
their horfes. Each Indian knows the found of his own bell,
and the horfes the -call of their mafter, and if he brings
them corn, they are eafily taken.
Grafs grows in great abundance in fpring, fummer, and
autumn, both in the open country and in the forefts. In
rich foils it gfows in fome places fo high that a man on
hbrfeback can but juft reach the top of the ftalks. When it
is withered, the Indians fet it on fire, both to make room
for the new crop, and to deftrov young fprouts of trees.
Thera
Ch. VI. Food, Agrkulturey tsfc, 75
There are alfo mufirooms of different kinds, which are fo agree-
able to the horned cattle, that they are hardly to be kept from
difperfing in fearch of them. Many fprings are impregnated
with common fait or faltpetre, and both black cattle and
horfes refort to them in numbers.
Befide the common horfe-fly, there is a fpecies which gives
great uneafinefs to horfes and cattle of all kinds. They even
attack men, penetrate through the fkin, and fuck fo much
blood, that they fwell to the fize of a hazel-nut, and then
fall off.
The Indians take but little pains to provide (lore of winter-
provifiou for their cattle, for the fnow is feldom deep, and
the weather generally mild. Thus the cattle can always
find food, efpecially in low grounds, where the grafs remains
green, and begins to grow plentifully towards the end of
March, or beginning of April. A fpecies of winter-grafs
grows even in winter around the fprings, which is much re-
lifhed by the cattle. But in woodlands, the horfes find little
more than the fmall branches of young trees, chiefly oifaf-
fafras (laurus faffafras), which grows there in abundance ;
except a fpecies of green mofs, growing upon the bark of
moft trees, and much refembling hay in appearencc.
CHAPTER VII.
Of the Manner of Hunting and Fijhing among the
Indians,
HUNTING Is the principal and mofl neceffary employ-
ment of the Indians, and next to war, the moft ho-
norable. For this reafon, all Indians, but chiefly the De-
lawares, are very expert and experienced huntfmen.
The boys learn to climb trees when very young, both to
catch birds and to exercife their fight, which by this method
.j6 Huni'iiig. P.I.
is rendered fo quick, that in hunting they fee obje£ls at an
amazing diftance. In dete6ling and purfuing game, they
ahnofl exceed the beft-trained dog, in following its courfe
•vnth. certainty. They run fo fwift, that if a deer does not
fall upon the firll fliot, they throw off their blanket, and
feldom fail to overtake him.
Their contrivances for decoying and fecuring the game are
innumerable. They ftudy this from their infancy, and many
remain whole years in the woods by way of pra6lice.
Formerly the chief weapons ufed by an Indian hunter
were bows and arrows, armed at the point with a longifh
fharp ftone of a triangular fhape. Evem to this day, many
of the weft and north-weft tribes make ufe of no other weapons.
They have the advantage of the gun in not making the game
fo fhy. The Delawares and Iroquois are now very expert
in the ufe of rifle-barrelled guns. The Delawares, when
at home, pra£tife fliooting at a mark. They are not un-
acquainted with the ufe of the bow and arrow, but never
employ them but to kill fuch game as are not worth powder
and fliot. In purchafing fire-arms and powder, a good
hunter ufes particular caution, to have both of the very beft
quality.
Before an Indian fets out for a long hunt, he ufually flioots
one or more deer, and keeps a fealt of facrifice, inviting the
old men to affift him in praying for fuccefs. Some bathe
and paint before they fet off, but the moft fuperftitious keep
a faft both before and during the feafon. When they faft,
they tafte nothing, but are neither gloomy nor diflatisfied.
They fay that fafting peculiarly helps them to dream, and
in dreams they pretend to be informed of the haunts of
the game, and of the beft method of appeafing the wrath
of the bad fpirits, during the time of hunting. If the
di-eamer fancies that he fees an Indian, who has been long
dead, and hears him fay, " If thou wilt facrifice to me,
** thou llialt fhoot deer at pleafure ;" he immediately prepares
a facrifice, and burns the wliole or part of a deer, in honor
of the apparition.
Be fides
Ch.VH. Hwiu
ng.
Befides this ceremony, mofl hunters endeavour to procure
a hunting hefon^ to which they afcribe the power of procuring
them fuccefs. The be/on is a preparation made by old men,
who are no more able to hunt, confifting of roots, herbs,
and certain feeds, fold by them at a high price. There are
feveral forts, but every one is defirous to get the beft, if it
fiiould even coft him the greater part of his property.
One fcrt of bejotj is taken inwardly^ and occalions a violent
vomitingj but this is not in common ufe. According to
their opinion the he/on will prove mifchievous, unlefs every
ceremony annexed to its ufe is attended to with the moll
fcrupulous exaclnefs. If a huntfman fhoots nothrng for
ieveral days, he fwallows a fmall dofe, and obferves the rules
prefcribed to hiim in the (lri£left manner. If another day
pafles without fuccefs, without doubting the efBcacy of his
befon^ he afcribes his ill luck to fome other caufe, frequently
to the prefence of a miflionary. Some falfely pretend, that
they can deprive the deer of their fmelJ, and bring all the
game they v/ifh for withi;n gun-fliot.
When a whole party goes out to hunt, they chufe the mofl:
expert for their captain, particularly if he is a member of the
council. He muft watch over the due obfervance of the
cuftoms, ufual in hunting, for inftance, that no one leaves
the party, till the feafon is at an end. If one has fhot a deer,
but another has followed and killed it, the fkin belongs to
the iirft, and either the half or whole of the meat to the lat-
ter. If feveral take aim at once, but they cannot determine,
which of them killed the game, the fkin is given to the oldefl
of the party, even if he did not fiioot with them, and he is
then faid to have killed the animal. Old m.en therefore,
though no more able to Ihootwell, generally get their fhare-
of Ikins, if they only flioot now and then, though they da
not hit the mark. The flefh is always divided into equal
fhares, but the old men are firft ferved. They have in ge^^
neral, but the Unamis in particular, a cuftom, that when a
iiuutfman has fhot a deer, and another Indian joins him, or
only
-JS ^mdrnpeds. P. I.
only looks at a diftance, he immediately gives him the whole
animalj and goes in purfuit of another.
The Indians commonly (lay three or four weeks, and
often feveral months, at their hunting places. During the
rainy feafon, the inundations are fo fudden, that they are
fometimes obliged inftantly to take to their boats, and much
game periflies in the low grounds. Some who do not chufe
to join a hunting party, go either alone, or take their wives
and children with them, and build bark huts in the wood,
as a place of rendezvous. When thefe fmgle huncfmen kill
a deer, they take the fkin and as much of the fltlli as they
can carry j the reft they hang upon a tree for the ufe of fuch
who pafs that way. The meat brought home is either im-
mediately eaten, or roafted and laid up in ftore. The prime
pieces are cut off and ftuck on fkewers into the ground on
that fide of the fire towards which the fmoke is driven,
being frequently turned round. "When they are well done,
they are taken off, and when cold, put into a bag, or ftrung
upon a cord, and hung in the air.
Autumn is the beft feafon for hunting, comprehending the
months between September and January, the game being
then fat, and their fkins in perfe£lion. They chiefly hunt
deer.
The North American deer (cervus elaphus) are red from
May to September ; when they call their coat, and nature
provides them with a grey and very clofe fur for the winter.
They have an acute fmell, and fhed their horns in January.
In running, their tail, which is about a foot long, {lands up-
right, and the infide being white, is feen at a great diftance.
They generally bring forth in June.
White deer are feldom feen in thefe parts. Thefe have
generally in fummer fome red, and in winter fome grey fpots.
The Indians call a white deer the king of the deer, and be-
lieve that the reft flock about, and follow him.
Further north, efpecially about Onondago and the great
lakes, the deer are much larger than on the Muflcingum ; and
about
Ch.VII. ^tadrupeds. 79
about two hundred miles to the fouth-weft, they are much
fmaller.
In former times the Indians killed only as much game as
they wanted for food and clothing, as the drefs lioth of the
men and women was made entirely of fkins. Thefe
animals of courfe were then very numerous every- where.
But now, when a large buckfkin fells for a Spanifh dollar, the
game is purfued for the fake of trade, and a clever huntfman
will (hoot from fifty to one hundred and fifty deer in one
autumn, and confequently they mud decreafe very fall in
number.
The Indians prefer hunting deer in large companies.
Having furrounded a confiderable tra£t of country, they fet
the dry leaves and grafs on fire. The poor animals fly to-
wards the middle to efcape the flames, and the hunters clofing
in upon them, by following the fire, kill them with certainty,
fo that hardly one efcapes. As the principal obje£l: in Ihoot-
ing them is their flcin, the flefh is left in the foreft, and de-
voured by the wild beads and carnivorous birds.
The North American Elk (cervus alces) is a much larger
but more timid animal than the deer, almoft equal in fizc
and bulk to an horfe. They are not met with near the
rivers Ohio and Mufkingum, but faid to be in great numbers
further north. The elks feen now and then in the country
of the Iroquois, come from Canada.
The nioofe deer does not difter much from the elk in figure,
except that its legs are longer and its tail Ihorter. The De-
lawares and Iroquois hunt neither elks, moofe deer, nor buf-
faloes. The Buffaloes (bosbifon) are taller than the common
oxen. Their horns are thick, fhort, and black. Their heads
are broad, with much hair on the forehead, hanging over
their eyes, which, with a long beard, gives them a fright-
ful look. They have a bunch upon their backs, covered
with long hair, or rather with a foft down, of a brown or
moufe color, maxed with the fame long hair, which clothes
their whole body. Their legs are remarkably fliort. They
arc afraid of men, and a fingle dog will chafe a whole herd,
but
So ^adrupeds. P. I,
but when wounded, they attack their enemy with fury. If
a female bufFaloe is fhot, the calf will (land quietly till the
huntfman has fkinned its dam, and then follow him into his
hut. BufFaloe-beef is of a good tafte, but the Indians fet no
great value on the Ikin.
Thefe animals appeared fome time ago In great numbers
on the banks of the Mufkingum, but as foon as a country
begiits to be inhabited, they retire, and are now only found
near the mouth of that river. But on the banks of the
Sioto and further fouth, they are faid to feed in large
herds.
When the feafon for hunting deer Is pad, the bear-hunt
begins, and is continued from January till May.
The Beary common to North America (urfus ar£los niger)
Is quite black, has (hort ears, a thick head, a {harp mouth,
very fhort tail, and large ftrong paws. It climbs the higheft
trees, in fearch of grapes, chefnuts, and acorns, and is very
fond of honey, which renders its flefti remarkably juicy and
relifhing.
There is likewlfe a kind of bear, much larger than the
common, with much hair on their legs, but little on their
bodies, which appear quite fmooth. The Indians call this
animal, the king of the bears, becaufe the others are faid
willingly to follow it.
All North American bears are carnivorous. Therefore
*he flefli of game left by the Indians in the foreft, is to them
a welcome repaft. The larger fpecies is remarkably vo-
racious, and in the country of the Iroquois, they feize upon
women and children, and even upon men unarmed. To-
wards the end of December, the bears, being extremely fat,
retire to their winter haunts. Thefe they prepare either In
hollow trunks of trees, caves, or the thickeft part of the foreft.
Moft of them forfake their cover in the beginning of fpring,
but if tbeyhave young, not till May. During this period
they are faid to eat nothing, but live on their own fat.
No Indian will {hoot a bear during the feafon for hunting
4cer, but when this is over, they immediately prepare for the
6 bear-
I:h-.VII. ^tadrupeds, 8i
feear-hunt. Tliey are remarkably expert in finding out tlie
haunts of thefe animals. If the bear^will not leave his re-
treat in an hollow tree, they cut down the tree, and commonly
kill him with the firfi: ilior. The Iroquois ufe wooden traps to
catch thofe beavs, whofe hiding-places are in the fwamps. The
Indians value bears on account of their fleih, which is juicy
and well flavored, nor docs their fat grow foon rancid.
Their fklns are no great obje6l for trade, being very cheap^
and they rather keep them to fit or fleep upon, for which their
long hair renders them peculiarly adapted. The white people
buy the fat of the beavs, and fometimes ufe it inftead of but-
ter, or oil for lalad.
The Beaver of North America is of a dark brown color,
and not different from that found in Europe. The amazing
I'agacity of thefe animals, difplayed in building their dwell-
ings, in their whole ceconomy, and the value of their hair
or down, are fo well known, that a circumftantial account
would in this place be fuperfluous. They are caught in
fnares, nets, and ivo'n traps, or killed with clubs. The Indians
prepare a fweet-fmellitig oil, by which they decoy them into
their traps. They were formerly found in great numbers
on theMu{kingum,butare greatly decreafed by the deftrudion
hiade amongfl; them. Though the fkin is the moll valuable
part of the beaver, yet the Indians frequently Inake a meal
<5f their flefh,efpecia]ly of tbeir fifliy tail. Some Indians will
never fuffer the dogs to gnaw beaver bones, lefb the fpirits
of the beavers mi^ht be enraged, and fpoil the chafe in
future.
The beaver-hunt is undoubteoly the moft advantageous
for the Indians, on account of the high price of their ikinsi
There is therefore no ieafon in the year, in which thefe
a'nimals are not purfued. The beaver-hunt is principally
attended to by the Iroquois, and the deer-hunt by the De-
l^wares.
It may probably be acceptable to have a fliort account of
fome other animals found in thefe parts. Some of them are
Part I. G hunted
§2' ^adrupeds. • P.E
Iiunted by the Indians ;^ partly for their wortH,,and partly on
account of the mifchlef they do,
^ADRUPEDS.
The Fanthf of North America (felis difcolor) is of the
^ze of a large fliepherd's dog, about four feet long, with
fmall fhort ears, a thick head, like a caty fhort legs, {harp
claws, and a long tail. The flcin is of a grey color, mixed
-with reddilli hair. Its cry refembles much that of a child,
hut this is interrupted by a peculiar bleating like that of a
goat, which betrays it. It gnarls over its prey like a cat.
Its flefl-i is eaten by many, and the ikin fu-rnifhes a very warm
covering.
The panther lives in thick woods, and frequently climbs
trees to lie in wait for hogs, deer, and other animals. It
iJoflefTes aftonifiiing ftrcngth and fwiftnefs in leaping and
feizing its prey, but if it mifles its aim at the firft fpring, it
never attempts a fecond. When it has killed an animal, it
devours but a fmall part, and when again prefled by hunger,
feeks new game. When hunted, even with a fmall dog,
it never attempts- any defence on the ground, but leaps into
a tree, from vphich it darts upon its enemy. If the firft (hot
rnifles, the hunter is in imminent danger. They do not at-
tack men in common, but if hunters or travellers approach
a covert, in which a panther has its young, their fituation is pe-
rilous. Whoever flies from It, is loft. It is therefore ne-
ceflary for thofe threatened %vlth an attack, gently co with-
draw, walking backward, and keeping their eyes fixed upon
it, and even if they mifs their aim in endeavouring to IhooE
3t, to look the more ftedfaftly at it. Indian courage and pre-|
fence of mind is required to do this, but many a-one hasJ
faved his life by this expedient.
The moft terrible enemy of the deer, elks, and moofe deer,.i
is the Cuguar (felis concolor), in fize about as big as a wolf.
?t feizes its prey, either from an ambufti, or it climbs a tree,
tod watches till one of the above animals approaches for
4 flielter.
Ch. Vir. ^drupeds, t%
{helter, when it darts upon its prey, feizes its throat,
and throws it down ; then v/inding its long tail round itS'
neek, devours it with eafe. The only means for the poor
animal to fave itfelf, is immediately to run towards a lake or
iriver, when the cuguar leaves its hold, being extremely
averfe to water. The bears are much afraid of it, and eveu
fly from its carcafe. '
The Mountain-cai (felis catus ferus) refembles in (hape a
common cat, but is mUch larger, having reddilh or orange-
colored hair, with black flreaks. It is very favage, and v/ill
even attack deer, leaping upon their necks like a cuguar,
and fucking their blood. They generally purfue hogs.
The North American Wolves (canis lupus) are in fize
fmaller than thofe of Europe : grey, and fometimes black.
They are very numerous, but as their fkins are not much
valued, the Indians purfue them merely as noxious animals:;
for now and then they break into their hunting huts, fteal
their game, or tear their deer-Ikins. They attack men but
feldom. The Indians even tame them, and ufe them as
pointers. They are terrible enemies to deer, and fometimes
go out in purfuit of thefe innocent animals in large troops,
howling dreadfully.
There is a fpecies of TVi/d boar (fus fcrofa) not fo large as
tame pigs, but otherwife the fame in appearance, and much
eaten by the Indians.
On the banks of the Ohio and Mufklngum, red, grey, and
black Foxes are numerous 5 on the Miffifippi, filver-colored are
met with.
The Racoon (urfus lotor) is fomewhat larger than a com-
mon cat : it has a pointed fnoutj and makes ufe of its fore-
paws, both to convey its vidluals to its mouth, and to dig up
fmall mufcles ouf of the fand> when it cannot get acorus
or chefnuts. Its hind legs refemble thofe of a bear. It is
fatteft in autumn and winter, when it lives in hollow trees,
like a bear, without feeking food. In a fevere winter it re-
tires for two whole months, otherwife only for four weeks.
Its fiefh is wholefomej and taftes much like that of a bear,,
and its hair is ufeful to hatters.
$4 ^ladrupedt. t.h
The Ottefy or Minx (muftelalutraCanadenfis), Is very com-
mon, and if clofely purfued will attack dogs, and even men.
In fummer it lives upon fifti, but in vi^inter upon bark and
field fruits. Its flefh is unwholefome, and never eaten but
in a famine. Sometimes the otter has been known to take
a long journey over land^ croffing from one brook to
another.
Another fpecies of otter lives in the fame manner,
but its peculiarity confifts in a fur, of a deeper black than
any other animal, fo that it has become proverbial in
America. Its tail is round, and without hair. It lives
chiefly in the neighborhood of the fprings of rivers, and
fmells of mufk.
The Porcupine (hiftrix criftata) is never feen near the Muf-
kingum, feldom near the Ohio, but frequently in the country
of the Iroquois. It lives in hollow trees, and climbs them
pretty nimbly. The Indians eat it with great reliftij
its flefh taftes like pork, and is commonly fat. The
American porcupine diflFers from that of other countries, in
fliape, and in the length of its quills. It is about the fize
of a common dog, in fhape fomething like a fox, but its
head refembles a rabbit. Its quills are of a dark brown color,
the largeft being about the thicknefs of a flraw- Thefe are
its weapons, and as it cannot run fwiftly, it always turns its
back towards its enemy, and no dog attacks it with im-
punity.
The Opojfiim (didelphis opolTum) is about a foot long, of
a greyifh white CQlor,.and carnivorous. If it finds a dead
deer, it creeps into the carcafe, an4 devours it. It climbs
trees, and fleeps hanging to a branch by its tail. If a man
approaches it unawares, it never attempts to efcape ; but lies
down as dead, not moving a limb, though handled and turn-
ed about ; but when again left to itfelf, creeps ofi flyly, as
foon as its enemy is retired to fome diftance. The female
has a bag under her belly, in which fhe carries her young, till
they grow too large for this receptacle, and then begin to
run after her. If Die meets with a fallen tree in her paflage,.
■2 fce
Ch. Vir. ^tadmpedf. 8|
Ilie either walks round, or lifts her young one by one over
the ftem, and then proceeds on her journey. When purfued,
the opoffum takes refuge in a tree, and hangs upon the
fmalleft branches; where its enemy dares not venture to
follow. The flefh of this creature taftes like pork, and is
€aten by fome white people, but not in general by the
Indians.
The Coati (viverra nafua) is fomewhat fmaller than a
beaver ; the legs much refemble thofe of the beaver, but its
body is (haped like a badger, and its head like that of a fox,
except that the cars are fhort, round, and bare. It climbs
trees, for tlieir fruits, efpecially nuts, which it conveys to its
iKouth with its fore-paws. The Indians think it good food,
efpecially in the nut feafon.
The Badger (urfus meles) burrows in the ground, and
feeds on grafs, water-melons, and pumpkins. It chews the
cud, and when purfued, if far from its hole, chmbs trees for
fafety. Its flefli is reliilied by the Indians.
The Stifling tueafe!f or Skunk (viverra putorius), is rather
fmaller than a common ferret. Its fur is fhinlng, of a dirty
grey color, interfperfed with black fpots, and its tail long and
bufhy, like that of a fox. Its common haunt is the thicket.
It has a gentle and mild countenance, but goes out of its
way for no creature whatever, and whoever approaches too
near ic, is ill rewarded for his curiofity. For when in fear,
or irritated, it ejeds from its hinder parts a moifture, in-
tolerably foetid, upon its purfuer, to the diftance of feveral
feet, filling the whole atmofphere for near an hundred paces
with a ftench fo ofFenfive, that no human creature can bear
it even for one minute, and exceeding every thing naufeous
in the ariimal creation. Cloaths infefted by it muft be
buried a long while in frelh foil, before the bad fmell va-
niflies ; and the wearer muft bathe and wafli himfelf all over,
before he can appear in company. If it touches the eye, it
occafions the greateft pain, or even utter lofs of fight.
A dog, whom the Ikunk has thus befprinkled, runs about
howling, as if cri^lly beaten, and rolls on- the ground
G3 to
^6 Quadrupeds. ?. I.
to get rid of the pain or ftench. The flefii of this animal
is wholefome and well-flavored, if the bag containing the
{linking moiriure be carefully extradled. But if in per-
forming this operation one drop is fpilt, the whole houfe
and every thing in it is immediately pervaded to an intole-
rable degree. This creature is very troublefome when it gets
into cellars and ftorehoufes, for no one will venture to drive
it away by force, as its ftench would do infinitely more da-
4nage than its depredations.
There is a fmall wild animal in the country of the Iro«
quois, called Martin (muftela martes), but probably belong-
ing to i\iQ Sable tribe (muftela zlbellina). Their furs being
snuch valued, the Indians catch them in wooden traps, and
fell the flcins to the white people.
The Hares in thefe parts (lepus timidus) are fmall and not
numerous, being continually purfued by birds and beafts of
prey. Towards the north they are of the fame fize as thofe
in Europe, and fometimes found with a fnow-white fur.
The Ondathroy Zibet (caftor zibethicus), or Mujk-rat, fa
named from a great quantity of odorous matter found in its
body, is not much larger than a water-rat. It is alfo called
by fome the beaver-rat, its appearance fomewhat refembrin<y
that of a beaver. Its tail however is not proportionably
broad, but oval. It builds its dweUings with nearly the fame
art as the beaver, chufing the neighborhood of a river,
though able to live entirely upon dry ground. Its food is
leaves and roots in winter, and itrawberries, rafpberries, and
other field-fruit in fummer. This animal does much da-
mage to mill-dams by its burrowing.
There are feveral forts of Squirrels in North America, of
■which the greyfquirrel (fciurus niger, cinereus, vulgaris) is
the largeft, and the red, the fmalleft in fize. Both thefe are
xarely met with ; but black fquirrels are every where in great
numbers. Their flefii is tender, and eaten by the Indians
jn cafe of ficknefs, but not as common food.
The ground fqiiirrel (fciurus glis) lives under ground, and
is fomev/hat frnallev than a common rar. They do great
*" ,^ damage
Ch. VII. Serpents. 87
damage to the Indian corn,, pumpkins, and water-melons.
When the Indian corn is ripe, they lay in a good (lore of it for
the winter, with as many hazel-nuts, chefnuts, and acorns, as
they can get. Their ftorehoufes are fre^quently found to
liave feveral compartments, each costaining one kind of fruit.
Thejlyif!gfg uirreJ {{cinrus volans) has a thin membraneous
•continuation of the Ikin of the fides and belly,-by which ite
liind and fore-legs areconneSed. This fupports it in leap-
ing or flying from one tree to another if the diftance be not
too great. But it cannot raife icfelf from off the ground.
■SERPENTS
Abound in the countries of the Delnwares and Iro-
quois, with great variety. The moft dangerous are the
Rattlefvakes (crotalus horridus), of which there are two forts,
black and yellow. The latter are the largeft, being when fuiJL
grown nearly fix feet long, and nine inches in circumfe-
rence. Their Ikin is beautifully marked^ The back is
brown, intermixed with a reddifii yellow, and crolTed by a
great number of jet black ftreaks, diverfificd with fportive
tints of gold. Their belly is of a light blue. The black
rattlefnake has the fame variety of ftreaks, but of a darker
ihade. Both kinds have two fmall very iliarp teeth in the
iUpper jaw, which they draw in and out v.'lth great fwiftnefs
and force. Thefe have a fmall bag at the root, which difcharges
a poifortous juice, when they bite. The rattles at the end
of their tails; from v/hich thefe ferpents derive their name, are
Tings of a horny fubfiance^ conn,e£led together like the links
•of a chain, one being added every year, till they have about
twenty. When the rattlefnake ftirs, thefe rings rattle and
ibetray him. They feldom attack palTengers, but never go
■out of their way, lying quiet, till they perceive danger; then
ithey rattle with their tail, coil themfelves together, with
their heads eredl in the centie, ai^d in this form dart two or
three times with great fury at their enemy. Their bite im-
mediately occafions a fever, with a cold fliivering, the wound
begins to fv/ell, and the fwelling fp reads in a ftort time ever
the whole body. In hot v/eather their bite is fometimes at-
Q 4 tended
88 Serpents. F. I;
tended, with inftant death, but the Indians are fo well-ac-
quainted with the means of cure, that there are but few
inftances of death occafioned by the bite of this ferpent. A
beaft, bitten by a rattlefnake, may recover in twenty- four hours,
with proper management. If negledled, death is inevitable.
Pigs are excepted from the dreadful effedts of their bite; they
will even attack and eat them. It is faid, that if a rattlefnake
is irritated, and cannot be revenged, it bites itfelf, and dies
in a few hours. This animal is faid to poflefs another
peculiar property, i>iz. that of gazing with fixed eyes upoa
a bird or fquirrel, and by a kind of fafcination, (lupifying
them in fuch a manner, that the poor creatvire falls from the
bough, and becomes an eafy pi-ey to Its enemy, who by lick-
ing it all over, and covering it with a kind of flime, fa-
cilitates its palfage down its throat. The rattlefnakes in^
habit rocky, mountainous, and uninlnabited places, and are
extremely prolific. Towards the end of the year they creep
into their holes, and twifl themfelves together, having to ap-
pearance but little life. About the time of their revival in
fpring, many die, and they have been found lying dead in
large heaps, infe£ling the air with an intolerable flench.
Our miflionaries have difcovered a fmall fpecies of the rat-
tlefnake, near the river Mufkingum, of hardly one foot in
length. No ferpent is found in thefe parts in fuch number^
-as the rattlefnake.
Many other kinds of ferpents are found in the Indian country
of different fizes, colors, and properties; black, yellow, cop-p
per-colored, green, and variegated. Some can climb a tree,
and are faid to enchant birds and fquirrels like the rattle-
fnake. . Some are fuppofed to emit a poifonous breath, and
perhaps the magic power of the rattlefnake confifts merely
in this property. Others are ftrong enough to feize upon
the largefl birds of prey, when attacked by them, and.
to fquecze them to death, twilling their bodies about
them.
3omc live in the water, and prey upon fifh. They are
f.ot all poifonous; perhaps fuch,. only being armed M^th
poifor^
C3i.VII. Lizards, Fi'ogf.ls'c. «^"
poifon in whom there is a want of ftrength. Mod of them
iirft cover their prey with ilime, and then fwallow it whole,
hy flow degrees, and feemingly with pain.
All ferpents caft their coat in fpring, and then appear la
their greatefl beauty. The new flcin of the large black fer-
pent is a fine fhining jet.
There are but few Lizards (lacerta) in the country.
Of the Land-iortoife {teiiudo coriacea) there are feven or
eight fpecies of various colors. The fmallefl are the mofl
beautiful, but their bite is counted venomous.
The hrgeft American Frog is the Bull-frog (rana boans).
It inhabits rivers and large brooks. They are about fix
times as large as the common frog, and receive their name
from their croaking, which refembles the bellowing of a
bull, but is far more penetrating. A few bull-frogs will
make a noife, almoft too much for human ears to bear, elpe-
cially at night.
The common frog (rana pipiens) is brown, does not croak,
but has a note, like a fliort whiftle. In fpring they arc
heard all night. ' The Iroquois catch them at night by the
light of a torch, and eat them either frefh or dried. Green
frogs are but rarely met with in rivers and brooks.
The Tree-frog lives upon trees, either cleaving to the bark
or creeping into the crevices. Their color fo exa£lly re-
fembles that of the tree, to which they attach themfelves,
that they are hardly to be diftinguifhed from it. In fome
places they r.flemble in fuch numbers in fummer, that the
•^ars of pafiengers are almoft ftunned with their croaking.
BIRDS:
The common Eagle (falco leucocephalus) has a white
head and tail, and builds its nefb in the fork of fome lofty
and thick tree. It lays the foundation, with a great quantity
of branches, repairing it every year. The ftrength and
courage of this bird are remarkable. Every morning it goes
out in fearch of prey, and returns to the neft with birds,
fquirrels.
,^ Birds. fX
fqulrrels, fnakes., and feflies, for its young. Fifh now and
then prove deftru6live to them : For in attacking large fifh,
it fometimes cannot difengage its talons foon enough, but
is drawn under water and drowned. The eagle is parti-
cularly fond of young game, but when hungry, will pick up
mufcles, and carr)-n^- them to a great height in the air, drop
them upon a rock, in order to open them. This fpecies of
the eag'e is numerous; but there is another, which our mif-
fionaries Ji^ave feen nowhere but on the banks of the Ohio
snd Mulktngum. The Indians call it the forked eagle (falco
furcatus) from its tail being forked. It foars to an ailonifh-
ing height. If it approaches t!ic dwellings of the Indians,
they always look upon it as a toki^n of change of weather
or rain. It feeds upon fnakes and other creatures like the
white-headed eagle, but is continually on the wing during
its repaft. It builds upon high trees^ but in as concealed a
manner as poflible.
The Crafie (ardea grus) is commonly found upon large
jplains, and near to rivers. When hit by a (hot, it attacks
its purfuer, and has great power in ftriking with its wings.
The Indians eat its flefli, but not in common.
IFild Swans (anas cygnus) are numerous both on the Ohio
snd Mulkingum. According to the account of the Indians,
their flefii taftes like that of a bear, and is fat. In the
countries bordering upon the great lakes, a very large fpecies
of fwan is found, called the Trumpeter ^ from his voice re-
jTembling the found of a trumpet.
The Pelican (pelicanus onocrotalus) has a large b?g hang-
ing from its nether jaw, which is the receptacle for the fifii
it gathers for its young. As they are generally bloody
when drawn out, this may have given rife to the fable of the
pelican's feeding its young a-ich its own blood, drawn from
its bread.
Wild Geefe (anas anfer ferus) appear in fpring and autumn,
and remain long in the country. Some continue during the
winter, others only during thefummer. Mofl: of them pafs into
a warmer latitude towards winter, and go to the north iii
fa^nraer^
Ch.Vir. Birds. ^\
fummer, where they build in the neighborhood of the great
lakes, and return in autumn with their young.
Wild Turkeys (maleagris gallopavo) flock together in au-
tumn in great numbers, but difperfe in the woods towards
fpring. They are larger than the tame turkies, and com-
monly perch fo high upon the trees, that they cannot be
fhot but with a ball. In winter their plumage is of a fliining
black, but changes in fummer to a light brown, with white
fpots upon the wings. Their eggs are much .fought after,
and relifhed by the Indians. There is a fpecies of wild
turkies, which are not eatable, their flefli having a moft dif-
agreeabie flavor.
Otvls are in great number and variety, fome large, others
fmall, but all very noify in the woods at night. The large
ivhite owl (ftrix ny6lisa) and the litt/e owl (ftrix paflerina)
go in queft of prey even at mid-day.
The Fijhifig-hawk or Ojpray (falco halisetus) feizes upon
its prey with aftonifhing velocity. They fay, that when it
hovers over the water, it pofTefl'es a power of alluring the
fifli toward the furface, by means of an oily fubftance con-
tained in its body. So much is certain, that, if a bait is
touched with this oil, the fifh bite fo greedily, that it appears
as if it were impoflible for them to refift.
The Heron (ardea Americana) has long legs, large wing;^,
and a lean body.
There are two other birds of prey, which live upon fifli,
but I cannot find their names. One is larger than an eagle;
the other fmall, and builds its nefl: in the earth, digging
its way into deep banks, and forming avenues to its neft,
juft wide enough to creep in.
The Night-haivk oi Goat-fuchr (caprimulgus Europaeus),
called alfo iiight-fwallow, is rather fmaller than the commoa
hawk, flies extremely fwift, and is feldom feen but in the duft:
pi the evening, when it frequently purfues the traveller,
wantonly flying about his head. Thefe birds flock together^
and fly very high in the air before a thunder florm ; towards
evening they approach the dvveliing-houfes, perching upoa
th^
ft ' Birds. P. r.
the trees, and finging with a mournful note, till toward mid-
night. If one of them happens to perch upon the roof of an
houfe, the fuperllitious Indians believe, that it forebodes fomc
great misfortune. Their appearance in fpring may always
be confidered as a certain fign that the froft is over.
The hoopoe^ raven, crow, and pigeoti-haivky are very com-
mon.
Pheafants (phafianus Colchicus) are not valued by the
Indians, and the woods would fwarm with them, had they
not fo many deftru£tive enemies among the birds of prey.
They multiply very faft, one hen laying above twenty eggs at
a time. In winter they fhelter themfelves from the birds of
prey under the fnow, and run thus a confiderable way from
one place to another.
The Wild Ducks (anas ferus) are birds of paflage, like the
wild geefe, but there are fome kinds in America that ftay
there during the fummer feafon. One kind builds its neft in
hollow trees, hanging over the water, and when its young are
hatched, it throws them into the river, and fwims off to fome
other part.
The Loon (colymbus) is larger than a duck, but not eatable.
It is noted for its fwiftnefs in diving, and therefore difficult
to fhoot. The Indians make pouches of its (kin, large
enough to hold their pipe, tobacco, flint and Heel, knife, &c.
The Partridges (tetras perdix) are fmall. They are moftly
found in cultivated grounds', their flefh is tender, and of a
fine flavor.
A fev/ green Parrots (pfittacus) are feen in the woods in
fummer, but are in greater numbers further to the fouth.
The white Cidl (larus) is frequently feen near rivers and
lakes.
The IVild pigeon (columba migrator la) is of an afh grey
color. The cockMs diftinguiflied by a red breaft. In fpring
they take their paflage to the north, and in autumn return to
the fouth. In fome years they flock together in fuch num-
bers, that the air is darkened by their flight. Wherever they
alight, they make as much havock an>ong the trees and
garden-
Oh. VII. .Birds. ^%
garden-fruits as tlie locufts. The noife they make is fo in-
tolerable, that it is difficult for people near them to hear, or
underlland each other. In the year 1778 they appeared in
fuch great numbers, that the ground under their refling-
places was covered with their dung above a foot high, during
one night. The Indians went out, killed them with fticks,
and came home loaded. They delight in {hooting thefe
wild pigeons, and feme times kill thirty at a (hot. At night,
a party of Indians frequently fally out with torches made o£
draw or wood, and when they get among the birds, light
them. The pigeons being dazzled by the fudden glare, are
eafily knocked olT the branches with flicks. Such a party
once brought home above eighteen hundred of thefe birds,
which they killed in one night in this manner. Their flefh
has a good tafte, and is eaten by the, Indians either frefh,
fmoked, or dried. When the Iroquois perceive that the
young pigeons are nearly fledged, they cut down the trees
with the uellsjand fometimes get two hundred young from
one tree.
The Turtle-doves are fmaller than the wild pigeons, and
always fly in pairs.
The Mockhig-blrd (turdus polyglottus) is fomewhat larger
than a thrufli, and in great numbers. Its fong is much
like that of a nightingale. The latter is feldom feen in
America. Buc this mimicks the notes of other birds, and.
even the barking of a dog, and mewing of a cat.
The Wipper^vill is grey, fmaller than a turtle-dove, and
generally found in corn-fields. It has received its name
from the found of its voice, which is heard^all night long.
The Blue-bird is fo called from its color, which is a beauti-
ful azure. It makes its appearance in fpring before any other
fummer bird.
There is a bird in thefe parts, called by tlie Indians, the ■
bird of the Great Spirit, and probably a fpecles of the bird
of paradife. It has a beautiful fhape, and is as large as a
fwallow. Its neck is a light green, and four or five feathers,
three
f4 Tijhing, ' P. t
tKree times the length of its body, variegated with gold and
purple, extend from its tail.
Snipes^ woodpeckers of different forts and colors, thrufhes
with red breafts, fwallows ftarlings, cat-birds, fincheSj
tom-tits, and wrens, are every where found in great
numbers.
The Colibri (trochilus mellifugus) is the mod beautiful of
all American birds, and confulerably fmaller than the wren.
The beauty of its plumage is beyond defcription. One
fpecies of thefe birds has a crefl: upon its head of the mofk
fplendid colors, its breaft is red, and the belly white : The
back, wings, and tail, are of the richefl light green, which,
intermixed with tints of gold, cover the reft of its body. It
flies like a bee about the flowers of the field, and without
perching about them, fucks their honey, which is its only
food. This has given it the name of the honey-bird. As it
iiies very fwift, and makes a buzz in the air by the ruftling o£
its wings, it has alfo received the name of humming-bird,.
FISHING.
I am now to defcribe one .of the moft favorite diverfions of
the Indians next to hunting, namely, that oi fifhing. Little
boys are even frequently feen wading in fhallow brooks,
fliooting fmall fifhes with their bows and arrows.
The Indians always carry hooks and fmall harpoons with
them, whenever they are on a hunting party ; but at certain
feafons of the year they go out purpofely to fifh, either aloncj
or in parties. They make ufe of the neat and light canoes
jnade of birch-bark, as defcribed above, for this purpofe>
and not only venture with them into fpacious rivers, but
even into the large lakes, and being very light, the waves
do not break into them as eafily as into European boats.
They caulk them with the refinousbark of a fpecies of glm,
which they firft pound, to prepare it for ufe. Another kind
*f canoes are made of the ftems of large trees of light woodj
chiefly
Ch.vn. ^ipufg* ff
chiefly cyprefs. Thefe Items are excavated chiefly by fire,
and finiflied with an hatchet. They lock like long troughs,
and are of various fizes.
There is a particular manner of fifhing, vi^hich is under-
taken in parties, as many hands are wanted, in the following
manner: When the Shad-ff} (clupea alofa) come up the
rivers, He Indians run a dam of flones acrofs the ftream,
where its depth will admit of it, not in a ftrait line, but in
two parts, verging towards each other in an angle. An open-
ing is left in the middle for the water to run off. At this
opening they place a large box, the bottom of which is full
of holes. They then make a i-ope of the twigs of the wild
vine, reaching acrofs the flream, upon which boughs of about
fix feet in length are faflened at the diftance of about
two fathoms from each other. A party is detached about a
mile above the dam with this rope and its appendages, wha
begin to move gently down the current, fome guiding one,
fome the oppofite end, whilft others keep the branches from
fmking by fupporting the rope in the middle with wooden
forks. Thus they proceed, frightening the fifhes into the
opening left in the middle of the dam, where a number o£
Indians are placed on each fide, who Handing upon the two
legs of the angles, drive the fiflies with poles, and an hideous
noife, through the opening into the above-mentioned box or
cheft. Here they lie, the water running off through the holes
in the bottom, and other Indians flationed on each fide of the
cheft, take them out, kill them and fill their canoes. By this
contrivance they fometimes catch above a thoufand {had and
other fifli in half a day.
In Carolina the Indians frequently ufe fire in fifhing. A
certain kind of fifli will even leap into the boats, which have
fire in them.
Among thofe fifties, with which the rivers and lakes in the
countries belonging to theDelawares and Iroquois are moft
plentifully ftocked, the following deferve to be men-
tioned ;
The
5^ Fipjcf. P. !l
The E&gle-Jijh has no fcales, and its flefh lafte^ well. In the
river Mulkirigum they are fmall, but very large in the river
Ohio.
There is a fifh much refembling the eagle-fifh in fliape,
for which I can find no name. It has an exerefcence
upon its head, formed much like the bill of a goofe, but
broadeir, and about fix inches long. With this it pene-
trates into the fand to feek its food. Its mouth is below the
head.
Another (loplilus vefpertilio) nearly refembling the eagle-
fi{h,has four fliort legs, fhort fins, a wide mouth, and is about
a foot and an half in length.
T\\z Buffalo-fifh is thus called both by Indians and Eu-
ropeans, on account of its being heard fometimes to bellow
in the water. Its length is about a foot and an half, or even
two feet, and its breadth five or fix inches. It has a curved
back, prickly fins, a narrow mouth, and a fmall head, in whiclr
two w^hite flones are found,Silat on one, and a little convex
on the other fide. It has no teeth, but at the entrance of its
throat there are two^ftrong fiat bones with grooves, exailly
fitting each other. With thefe it can crack the hardeft
mufcles, which are its chief f&od, an.i ferve to bait the hook
in angling for it. But the '^ndianl commonly pierce this
fifh with a iron prong, af their own making. If any one
fhould venture to put his finger into its mouth even when to
appearance half dead, it would crufli It to pieces.
, The large ft; fifli in the river I^Iufkingum is the Sturgeon^
raeafuring about three or four feet In length,
Salmon (falmo falar) are deemed the beft and mod va-
luable fi(h caught in thefe parts. They grow to a very large
fize^ and have red fpots like trout. They are caught with
great eafe in autumn, when theyafcend the rivers and brooks,,
but the falmon-fillicry is attended to during the whole fum-
mer feafon. —=____-
Trout (falmo farlo) are found in great plenty in all frcTh
brooks. Some of thofe caught in Lake Superior are faid to
be of peculiar excellence, and to v/eigh above fifty pound.
In
. ChJViL ripm. 97
In winter they are Iiung jin the air to dry, and will freeze fo
hard in one night, that they keep as well as when faked.
Eels (mursena angullla) are feldom caught in the rivers Muf-
kingum and Ohio. But in the great lakes, the Indians catch
"them in baflcets, and get frequently feme thoufands in one
night, which they dry in the air. They are generally very
fat.
The Eleclfical Eel (gyninotus elec^ricus) poffefles a peculiar
eleilrical quality, infomuch that if any one touches it, or
merely the water •w'hich immediatrely furrounds itj he is in-
ftantly feized with a ftrong ele£lrical Ihock; but it may b^
fafely caught with filken nets or lines. All other fifhes avoid
it, except a few fpecies of crabs, upon v/hich its ele<Sltrical
quality feems to have no efFecl.
The Cat-fjh (filurus catus) is about eighteen inches longj
of a light brown color, without fcales, having a large round
head like a he-cat. Three or four (harp and ftrong horns of
about two inches in length, grow upon its he^d, its fins are
bony and very hard, and its weight is commonly five or fix
pounds. The flefh of this fifh is very rich, and in tafle re-
icmbles an eel.
The above mentioned Shad (clupea alofa) weighs about
four pounds, and when pickled is not unlike an herring in
flavor.
r The Rech-Jijh is large, and folne are found to Weigh abovfe
ten pound. It has ftrong bones, and its flefh is white, of an
agreeable tafte.
Pike or Jack (efox luclus) grow to an aflonifhing fise in the
river Ohio.
In fome places Carp (cyprinus cnrpi?) are aifo found.
The Black-fJJ:^ called thus by the Indians, has large, browrt
fcales, a fmail head, and a fmall, round, foft rdouth v/ith nd
teeth in it. Its fhape is not broad, but round. It is reckoned
one of the beft flavored.
The River -tcrt&ife of thefe parts is a fpecleS different froni
that found in Pennfylvania, which has a hard ihell. The
{liell of this is quite foft, and its head fmall and point-^d
PartL " ' H lik^
98 FijUi, P. L
like a fea-tortoife. The Indians (hoot them, for they are
not easily caught in any other way, as they feldom venture
out of the water upon the banks of the river.
Large Crahs are found rn all rivers, which have the benefit
of the tide. The mode of catching them in ufe among th«
Indians, is to tie a piece of meat to a ftring of twifted baftj
which they throw into the flream. The crabs lay hold of
the meat, and arc eafily drawn out.
In the fpring of the year 1756, two feals (phoca vitulina)
came up the river Sufquehannah to Wajomick, about four
hundred miles from the fea, and were fhot by fome Indians.
They could not fuSciently exprefs their aftonifhment at the
fight of thefe unknown animals. At length a council was
fummoned, to confider whether it would be proper to eat,
them or not ; when an old Indian rofe and obferved, that as
God had fent them, they could not but be good to eat.
They approved of his opinion, made a feaft, and found the
fieOi a very palatable difh.
CHAPTER VIII.
Trade of the Indians. Their Mode of Travellini^
Dancing, and other Amufenmiis,
THE goods, fold by the Europeans to the Indians, confift
chiefly of the following arricles:
Cloth, linen, ready-made lhlrts> blankets, cottons, calli-
mancos, thread, worfted and filk lace, powder and fhot,
lifle-barrelled guns, wampom, knives, colors, wire, brafs
kettles, filver lieeve and other buttons, buckles, bracelets,
thimbles, needles, rings, looking-glafles, combs, hatchets, and
other tools. For thefe they exchange deer, beaver, otter,
racoon, fox, wild-cat, and other ikins, &c.
As
Ch. VIII. Trade. 99
As the Di^lawares are the beft huntfmen, they have con-
fequently more intercourfe with the European traders, who,
in time of peace, bring their wares very frequently into,
the Delaware towns, and carry on a far more confiderable
trade with them than with the Iroquois and other Indian
nations.
Moft goods have a fixed price ; yet an Indian is often
tempted to purchafe an article at a very exorbitant price.
But if in a fhort time he (liould repent of his bargain, he
may return it, and the fixed price is repaid.
The Indians cannot eafily deceive a trader: but they are
greatly pleafed, if they can purloin, or in any manner de-
prive a trader of his goods. They are fond of buying upon
credit, promifing to pay when they return from hunting.
But if on their return they find other traders in the country,
they barter with them, and trouble themfelves no longer
about their creditors. If the latter remind them of their
debts, they are ofFended ; for to pay old debts feems to them
to be giving away their goods for nothing.
When the Indians fufpecl a war approaching, they keep
it fecret, and take as many goods upon credit as they can
get. For as foon as the war breaks out, all debts are can-
celled, and the poor traders are the firft in danger, not only
to lofe their property but their lives, nor do they even dare
venture too foon among them,, after peace is re-eftablifli-
ed. In the late Indian war .bout the year 1763, there being
a general appearance of peace, a numerous body of traders
ventured to go with a great quantity of goods into the
country of the Hurons. The latter heard of it, and fent a
party of warriors to meet them; hue perceiving that the '
traders were too powerful for them, they had I'ecourfe to
the following ftratagem : They told the traders, that the war
having broke out afrefh, a large body of warriors had fet oirt
to kill and plunder them ; but that they, moved Vvdth compaf-r'
fion, came with all hafle to prevent It, and to point out a
mode by which they might efcape with their lives, vh. that
they fhould fuffer themfelves to be bound and kept by them
H 2 as
t60 ffa^. f.%
asprifoners. When afterwards the Gtheif trobpj whom they
(declared to be very near at hand, fhould come, and fee
that they were prlfoners^ they would do thent no harm.
'I'hen they wou)d efcort them with fafety into their villages,
jsnd not fu&r them to k)fe any of their goods. The traders
foolifhly believed them : they fuf?ered themfelves to be
bound, and even affifted in bindrng each other,, but no'fooner
had they done this, than fhey were all murdered by
their pretended friends. The Hurons enriched- themfelves
with the fpoil, and boaHed ©very-where of their addrefs m
(deceiving ^he \Vhite peopje.
The naofl ruinous part of ihe Indian trade b that of
mm.
In peace,' and efpecla-lly aboirt t?ie time of their annual fa-
erificesy the deakrs- in rum- infeft the country, abufing the
£nTplrcity of the Indians, from the fhameful defire after
gainv For when they' once ^Qt into the praf^ice of drink-
ing, they will fell all they have, for nothing is fa ufeful or pre-
<;ious which they will not part vrich for rum. Of this s
jniflion^lry faw -3. remarkable mflance i« Shomokin on the
Sufqueliannah. A dealer in rum, placing himfelf upon a
^ot of ground where many Indians were aflembled, with 3
fraall barrely h:tov/hiGh he had put a ftraw,. invited any ojie
to come and fuick gratis. An Indian man approached with
penfive mien, and flow fleps ; but fuddenly turning aboutj-
tan off precipitately.' &oon after, he returned an^d did the
fame. But the third time, he fuHered himfelf to be feduced
by the trader to tafte a littie. He had hardly tailed it, be-
fore he began to barter all the wamp&m he had for a dram :
After this, hs parted with every thing he had, even with his
gun, and the blanket he w&re, topurchafe more.
They have frequently been moved by forrow and remorfe
for the lofs of what was raoft Bfefiii and valuable to theni»
to entreat the chief magiftrates of the Europeans to prohibit
the importation of rum int'p their country, But the^o. pro-
liibitions are of little avail y for if even the rum-traders are
kept back for a time, the Jnd Fans will go in fe^fch of them,
and
Ch. Vni. ImVian Mode of TraveWng. ?ei
and many of their own nation, efpecially the won>en, carry
on this traffic.
The repeated refoiutions and orders of their own Chiefs
and Captains, prohibiting the importation of rum, have had
tio better t^cCt in preventing this evil. The lawgivers
themfelves are often the firft to tranfgrefs, and the Indians
are cunning enough to find means of procuring it. For ex-
ample, they appoint a facrifice of rum, in which nothing bitt
rum is ufcd, and as the Chiefs never hinder any thing which,
has the appearance of an aft of devotion, they cannot pre-
vent them from getting it.
In trading among themfelves, they make no fcruple of
deceiving each other in the moil tliareeful manner. The
Indian trader demands an exorbitant price. Well knowing
that unlefs the buyer were m great diiirefs., or fully intent
upon purchafing the bargain, he would much rather deal
with an European. Wampom fupplies the place of money,
being of as much value to them as gold, fiiver, and jewels
are to the white people. The Cherokees, who of late
have had much intercourfe with the Delawares, carry on a
pretty brlftz trade with a kind of tob?xco-pipe heads, of z
black color, iiglit weight, and remarkably neat work-
jnanfhip.
When the Indians are going (3n a journey, they pretend to
b€ carelefs about the weather: yet in their prayers they
frequently alk for a clear and pleafant iky. The food they
take with them, is the fiour of Indian corn, which they either
eat dry, or mix with fugar and water. This makes a cooling
and nourifhing draught. They alfo boil it inio a kind o£
foup.
They never take bre?.d of Indian corn for a long journej^j
for in fummer it v/iil fpoil in three or four days, and is unfit
for food. As to meat, they find it every-where in the
foreft. Formerly they carried fire with them, ufing a
kind of fungus for this purpofe. But now they are ge-
nerally provided with an European tinder-box. They are
Beyer in great hafle in traveliing, for they feera every-where
n 3 at
i02 Indum Mode of Travelling. P. I.
at home In the forefts. They feldom forfake their fleeping-
place very early, firft eating a hearty meal, and examining
their clothes, which often want mending, before they flart.
This is verytroublefometo Europeans, who are ftraightened
for time, or v/ifli to be foon at their journey's end, and yet
it is by far the bed to let them have their own way, left they
fhould grow fulkyj for their alTiftance as guides is moft ef-
fentially neeelTary. But v/hen they have once ftarted, they
will feldom f}:op, till after fun-fet, when they feek a night's
lodging in feme convenient place. If it rains, they peel
feme trees, and in a very {hort time build an hut of bark, or
rather a roof fixed upon four poles, ftuck into the ground,
under which they may lleep dry.
We have already obferved, that they travel through the
woods for days together, without any trace of a path, and yet
never go ailray. Difficulties never prevent them. If they
meet with rivers and brooks, in which ths waters are fo
high, that no European would judge it poflible to pafs over,
they are not intimidated, but fwim acrofs the moft rapid cur-
rent with great ftrength and dexterity.
If they travel in company, they have all things in common.
They ufually appoint one to be their leader, and the young
men hunt by the way. If they kill a deer, they bring it to
the rendezvous, lay it down by the fire, and expe£i:, that the
leader will diftribute it among the whole party. When the
chiefs travel, they generally take foine young men with them,
to hunt for them.
The thicknefs of the woods, and the various kinds of
plants and long grafs, which entangle the feet of a
traveller, render a journey in thefe countries very trouble-!
fome. The mufqultoes are alfo a great torment, in pafl^
ing through the woods. The Indians defend themfclves
at night from dieir attack, by lying in the fnioke of their
fires.
In fome parts, bands of robbers infeft the woods, who at-
tack and plunder travellers; nor do they even fpare their
©wn countrymen. They commonly confift of perfons ex-
-. ■ pelled.
Ch.Vin. Indian Mo(Je of TraveU'ing. 103
pelled from their refpeftive tribes, on account of fome
enormous crime, which rendered them Infamous. In the
country of the Iroquois and further north, where the winters
are fevere with much fnow, the Indians are provided with
fnow-fhoes, which enable them to walk over the deepell fnow.
Thefe flioes are made of hoops, rounded in front, wide in
the middle, and running to a point behind. Thefoles con-
fifl of fmall thongs of deer-flcin, woven like a net with wide
mefhes, that the fnow may eafily pafs through. Towards
the fore-part of the fhoe, near the middle, is a crefs piece
of vv^ood, with two fmall holes at each end, through which
leather flraps are drawn. By thefe flraps it is faftened to
the foot, which refts upon the crofs wood, the longer part
of the flioe dragging behind. On the banks of the Muf-
kingum, where there is lefs fnow, fuch ihoes are not in ufe,
and therefore the Delawares are not fo well fitted out for a
winter's journey as the Iroquois. The fledges in ufe among
the Indians, are made of two thin boards, fallened fideways
together, about two feet broad, and fix long. They are
bent upwards in front, and have little hand-rails on each
fide.
If a fingle Indian has occafion to pafs a river or bay, he
foon builds a canoe : taking a long piece of bark, of pro-
portionable breadth, to which he gives the proper form, by
faflening it to ribs of light wood, bent fo as to fuit his pur-
pofe. But if there are more in company, they make a large
canoe, as above defcribed, ingenioufly conftru6led of pieces
of bark, carefully fewed together. Large canoes do not
eafilyoverfet, being broad bottomed : they will carry a great
weight, but feldom laft longer than one year. Formerly
they were in common ufe, but are now only made in cafe
of neceihty, the Indians being furniilied with proper tools,
with Vv'hich they build boats with eafe. If the voyage is
expe£led to be long, many Indians carry every thing they
want for their night's lodging with them, namely, fome
flendcr poles, and rulh-mats, or birch-bark.
H 4 When
I04> Amujements, P. I.
When the men are at home, they amufe themfelvcs with
diverfions of various kinds, in which the women join thervi
as much as their time will permit.
Dancing is their moft favorite amufement. All folemn
meetings are celebrated with a dance, nor does a night pafs,
in which there is not a dance in one family or other, to
which the young people of both fe^es refort with eager-
?iefs.
The Delawares and Iroquois have different modes of dan*
cing. The common dance is held either in a large houfe, or
in an open field around a fire. In dancing they form a circle,
and always have a leader, whom the whole company attend to.
The men go before, and the women clofe the circle. The latter
dance with great decency, as if engaged in the molt ferious bu-
finefs ; they never fpeak a word to the men, much lefs joke
with them, which would injure their characEier. They neither
jump nor Ikip, but move one foot lightly forward, and then
backward, yet fo as to advance gradually, till they reach
^ certain fpot, and then retire in the fame manner. They
keep their bodies flrait, and their arms hanging down clofe
to their bodies. But the men {hout, leap, and ftamp with
fuch violence that the grouncf trembles under their feet,
Their extreme agility and lightnefs of foot is never difplayed
to more advantage than in dancing. Their whole mufic
<;onri{ls in a fingle drum. This is made of an old barrel or
kettle, or the lower end of a hollow tree, covered with a
thin deer-fkin, and beat with one ftick. Its found is dif-
agreeable, and ferves only to mark the time, which the
Indians, when dancing even in the greateft numbers, keep
with due eya£lnefs, When one round is finiflied, they take
fome reft, during which the drummer continues to fing,
till another dance commences. Thefe dances laft commonly
;;ill midnight.
Another kind of dance is only attended by the men. Each
rifes in his turn, and dances with great agility and bold-
p^f§j extolling his own or his foref^thefs' great deeds in a
Ch. VIII. Amufements, I05
fong, to which the whole company beat time, by a mono-
tonous rough note, given out with great vehemence at the
commencement of each bar.
Some dances held upon particular occafions difFer much
from the above. Ot thefe the chief is the dance of peace,
called alfo the calumet or pipe-dance, becaufe the calumet or
pipe of peace is handed about during the dance. This is
the moft pleafing to flrangers, who attend as fpe£lators, its
appearance being peaceable, and not fo dreadful as the for-
mer. The dancers join liands, and leap in a ring for fome
time. Suddenly the leader lets the hand of one of his part-
ners go, Keeping hold of the other. He then fprings for-
ward, and turns round feveral times, by which he draws the
whole cumpany round fo as to be enclofed by them, when
they (land clofe together. They difengage themfelves as
fuddenly, yet keeping their hold of each others' hands during
all the different revolutions and changes in the dance;
which," as they explain k, reprefents the chain of friend-
fliip. A fong, made purpofely for this folemnity, is fun||
by all.
The war-dance, held either before or after a campaign,
is dreadful to behold. No one takes fliai-e in it, but the
warriors themfelves. They appear armed as if going to
battle. One carries his gun, or an hatchet, another a long
knife, the third a tomahawk, the fourth a large clubj or they
all appear armed with tomahawks. Thefe they brandifh in
the air, to fignify how they intend to treat or have treated
their enemies They aiFe£l fuch an air of anger and fury on
this occafion, that it makes a fpeftator lliudder to behold
them. A Chief leads the dance, and fings the warlike deeds
of himfeif or his anceftors. At the end of every celebrated
feat of valor, he wields his tomahawk with all his might
againit a pell fixed in the ground. He is then followed by
the reft, each fiiiifiiing his round by a blow againft the poft,.
Then they dance all together, and this is the moft frightful
fcene. They afFe£l the moft horrible and dreadful geftures^
$Ji|rp3tening to beat, cut, and flab each other. They are
howevep
10(5 Arnufements. ^ P.I.
however amazingly dextious in avouling the tlireatened
danger. To complete the horror of the fcene, they howl as
dreadfully as m a£lual fight, fo that they appear as raving
jnadmen. During the dance they fometimes found a kind
of fife, made of reed, which has a fhrill and difagreeable
note. The Iroquois ufe the war-dance even in times of
peace, with a view to celebrate the heroic deeds of their
Chiefs in a folemn manner.
The facrificial dance is held at the folemnization of their
facrifices.
The Indians are naturally given to gambling, and fre-
quently riik their arms, furniture, clothes, and all they pof-
fefs, to gratify this pafTion. The chief game of the Iroquois
rtud Delawares is dlce^ which indeed originated with them-
The dice are made of oval and flattifli plum-ftcnes, painted
black on one, and yellow on the oth#r fide. Two perfons
'only can play at one time. They put the dice into a difli,
•which is raifed alternately by each gambler, and flruck on
*he table or floor with force enough to make the dice rife and
change their pofitionj when he who has the greater number
of the winning color, counts five, and the fird who has the
good fortune to do this eight times, wins the game.
The fpeftators feem in great agitation during che game,
and at every chance that appears decifive, cry out with great
vehemence. The gamblers diftort their features, and if un-
fuccefsful, mutter their difpleafure at the dice and the evil
fpirlts who prevent their good fortune.
Sometimes whole townfhips, and even whole tribes,
play agalnft each other. One of the milTionaries happen-
ed to be prefent, when two Iroquois townfliips, having
got together a number of goods, confi fling of blankets,
cloth, (hirts, linen, &:c. gambled for them. The game
lafted eight days. They aflembled every day, and every
inhabitant of each townfliip tofled the dice once. This
being done, and the chance of each perfon noted down,
they parted for that day. But each townfliip offered
to their party.
Thi§
Ch. IX. Bifeafes and their Cure. I07
Thrs was done by a man going feveral times round the fire,
throwing tobacco into it, and finging a fong. Afterwards
the M^iole company danced. "When the appointed time for
the game was at an end, they compared notes, and the win-'
ners bore away the fpoil in triumph.
Cards, {kittles, and foot-ball, were introduced among them
by the Europeans.
CHAPTER IX.
Dlfia/es of the Indians, and their Cure. Funerals
and Mourning of the Savages.
THE Indians here fpoken of have in general a greater
number of difeafes than the Europeans, which is
chiefly owing to their manner of living, efpecially in hunting,
for they do not walk leifurely through the Woods, to come
fuddenly upon their game, but run with fuch fvi'iftnefs and
perfeverance that they even weary the deer, and fometimes
follow it to the diftance of ten miles from their huts.
Befides this, they lift and carry burdens without the leaft
thought or caution about the confequences. An Indiaa
makes nothing of dragging a deer of one hundred or one
hundred and fifty pound weight home, through a very con-
fiderable trad of foreft ; at leaft he aiFefls not to feel its
weight, even when it is evident that he is quite exhaufted.
Sometimes they fad from morning till late at night, and then,
making a fudden tranfition from hunger and want to the
greateft plenty, they gratify their voracious appetites witliout
conflraint. The painful confequences of thefe irregularities
are too vifible in old age.
The women carry every thing on their heads, fadenedbya
thong round their foreheads. By means of this, they frequently
fupport above an hundred weighty the load being placed fo
as
10$ "Difeafes and their Cun. P.I.
as to reft alfo upon their backs. This may be the caufe of
the frequent pains and ftifFnefs of the neck and back, with
which the old women are fo frequently affli6led.
The moft common difeafes among the Indians are the
pleurify, weaknefsand pains in the ftomach and breaft, con-
fumption, Aeumatifm, diarrhoea, bloody flux, agues, and
inflammatory fevers. Epilepfy and madnefs are not frequent.
Floodings are common among the women, even in old
The fmall-pox was brought by the Europeans into the
country, rand is one of the principal caufes of their diflike
to them. For they deteft and dread this difeafe more than
any other, and are never more deftitute of courage and
prudence, than when it appears among them. They leave
their neareft relations to die in the woods, and content them-
felves with bringing them a little food and drink. The
patients themfelves appear in defpair, and know not how to
fupport life with patience. Moft of them die before the
fmall-pox appear.
For fome ^^e paft the venereal difeafe has alfo made its
appearance among them. They charge the Europeans with
having introduced alfo this plague.
The Indians are in general bad nurfes. As long as a man
can eat, they will not own that he is ill j and never pro-
nounce his cafe dangerous, until he has entirely loft his ap-
.petite. if a patient is become fore, from long lying, they
put him upon a bed of ftraw or hay near the fire, and make
a hole under him to ferve as a bed-pan. A thin foup of
pounded Indian corn without butter or fait, is the common
diet of the fick. Such as do not approve of this regimen,
cat and drink what they pleafe, though dangeroufly ill.
Their general remedy for all diforders, fmall or great, is a
fweat. For this purpofe they have in every town an oven,
fituated at fome dlftaace from the dwellings, built either of
{lakes and boards covered with fods, or dug in the fide of a
)iill, and heated with fome red-hot ftones. Lito this the
patient creeps naked, and the heat foon throws him into fuch a
^ profufc
Ch. IX. Dlfeafes and their Curt, 8 09
profufe fweat, that it falls from him in large drops. As foon
as he finds himfelf too hot, he creeps out, and immediately
plunges himfelf into the river, where he continues about
half a minute, and retires again into the oven. Having per-
formed this operation three times fucceOively, he fmokes his
pipe with compofure, and in many cafes the cure is com-
plete.
The women have either an oven for their own ufe, or da
not attempt this mode of cure.
In fome places ovens are conftrucled large enough to re-
ceive feveral perfons. Some chufe to pour water now and
then upon the heated ftoncs, to increafe the fteam, and
promote a more profufe fweat. Many Indians in health,
make a practice of going into the oven about twice a week
to renew their ftrength and fpirits. Some pretend by this
operation to prepare themfelves for a bufinefs which requires
mature deliberation and artince.
If the fweat does not anfwer in removing the diforder,
other means are applied. Moft Indians believe, that no me-
dicine has any efhcacy, vmlefs adminiftered by a profefled
phyfician, which many perfons of both fexes pretend to bft.
They have learnt their art either by inftrufiions received from
others, or by experiments made with different herbs and
plants. Old men, who can hunt no more, commence phy-
(icians, in order to procure a comfortable livelihood. One
is acquainted with the virtue cf herbs, another with that of
barks J but they feldom know how, and when, to fuit the
medicine to their patient's caf(j, and thus many fall viftims
to their ignorance. They generally makeafecrct of their
knowledge, which commonly perillies with them. Some
however leave it as an inheritance to their children or friends,
by inftrudling them before their death.
An Indian phyfician never applies his medicines without
accompanying them with myfterious ceremonies, to make
their effe£t appear fupernatural. He thinks this the more
neceffary, becaufe hi^ patient believes his illnefs to proceecT
from
1 1 (5 'Difeafes anA their Cure, P. L
from an invlfible agent. He therefore prepares his roots
and herbs with the mofl fingular ceremonies, and in mixing
them up, invokes the aid of the Great Spirit, with whom
he pretends to live in great intimacy. He alfo accompanies
his dire£lions and advice with various gefticulations and
enigmatical expreffions. He pretends to drive the bad fpirit,
who has brought on the diforder, into the'defert, and there
to bind him faft. For this reafon he demands the ltri£lell
obedience to his prefcriptions, and frequently aflures his
patient with great emphafis, that whoever defpifes him and
his medicines, muil infallibly perifh.
Thefe phyficians alfo aflert, that they have received in a
dream acommiflion from above to exercife their art, in which
a power was imparted to them to heal the fick. This trick
is frequently played off with fuccefs, when their good re-
putation is on the decline* They require an enormous fee.
If a patient fends for a phyfician, his fee muft be ready,
making no mean appearance, when he enters the houfe. If
it is but fmall, the patient muft not expe£l either much me-
dicine, or many ceremonies, and even the nriedicinCs are not
deemed of great efficacy. Therefore if he is not rich
enough himfelf, his relations frequently make up the de-
ficiency. The phyfician then proceeds in good earneft, af-
fefts a' grave and folemn countenance, pronounces with
great_ confidence the name of the difeafe, points out its
nature and origin, and foretels the event. He then proceeds
to prefcribe the diet, and the particular facrifice neceflary
for the occafion, and laftly produces his medicines. If the
patient begins to recover, he afcribes it to the fkill of
his phyfician, but if he fliould grow worfe, he difcards
him, and employs a fccond, third, and fourth, till he is re-
duced to the lad degree of poverty.
In diforders peculiar to females, the female phydclans
know many very powerful modes of cure. In hard labors,
which though not frequently, yet fometimes happen, they arc
very readv inadminiftering the moil efficacious afliltance.
li
Chi IX. Dtfiafes and thtlr Cure. . 1 1 s
If mothers cailnot fuckle their children for want of rnilk,
they prepare a very, wholefome fubftitute. But they alfo
keep their knowledge a profound fecret.
The ceremonies, ufed by the Indian phyGcians in perform-
ing their cures, are various. Many breathe upon the fick,
pretending that their breath is wholefome, and afterwards
fpirt a certain liquor made of herbs out of their mouth,
over the patient's whole body, diflorting their features, and
roaring dreadfully. Sometimes the phyficiaa creeps into
the oven, where he fvveats, howls and roars, and now and
then grins horribly at his patient, who is laid before the
opening., frequently feeling his pulfe. He then pronounces
fentence, and foretels either his recovery or death. One of
the miiTionaries happened to be prefent, when an Indian
phyhcian had put on a large bear-fkin, fo that his arms were
covered with the fore-legs, his feet with the hind-legs, and
his head was entirely concealed in the bear's head, with the
addition of glafs eyes. Ke came in this attire with a ca-
iabafn in his hand, aceompp.nied by a great crov.'d of people
into the patient's hut, finging and dancing, when he grafped
a handful of hot afhes, and fcattering them into the air
with a horrid noife, approached the patient, and began to
play feyeral Iegei"demain tricks with fome fmali bits of
wood, by which he pretended to be able to reftore him to
health.
The common people believe that by the rattling of thd
calabafh, the phyfician has power to make the fpirits dif--
cover the caufe of the difeafe, and even to evade the malice
of the evil fpirit who occafioned it. Notwithftanding the
Indians are convinced of the impofition pradlifed upon them,
yet they continue to employ tJre* phyfician, fearing the con-
fequences of his hidden art to deilroy them by poifon.
Tiiey are therefore confulted in all cafes, both internal and
external. Yet many a patient is faved by the good advice
of a kind neighbor, after having employed feveral phyficians
without fuccefs.
An
1 1 2 Bijeafes and their Curi* P. f .
An Indian is now and then obliged to become phyfician
even againil his inclination. For if a patient expreiTes pe-
culiar confidence in 'him, and perGfls m afking his advice
and affiftance, he is fearful of refufing, left the confequences
might be fome time or other fatal to him. If he is rafh, and
fortunate enough to cure his patient, his fee is as great as
that of the moft fkilful practitioner.
In dangerous cafes, their treatment is remarkably bold
and violent, as they fuppcfe that a violent difcrder requires
a violent cure. They are acquainted with various excellent
remedies for inflammatory fevers, and are capable of foretelling
pretty foon whether their patient will furvive or not, by the
immediate efFe£l of their medicine. If the patient foon
rejedls it, they do not expe6V his reco\'cry, and experience
frequently juftifies their conje£lures. In internal diforders,
which the Indians are jeafl; acquainted vrith, they generally
prefer the advice of an European phyfician, for whom they
have great refpa£l. Even the Indian phyficians endeavour
to learn as much from them as they can. When the Indians
joined the French againft the Englifh in 1756, the venereal
difeafe was introduced among them, for which they knew no
remedy. But having feen feveral perfons cured by European
furgeons, they foon made the trial themfelves, and are faid t<5
be fuccefsful in it.
One great fault of their phyficians is, that they Isnow not
how to proportion the ftrength of their medicines to that of
the patient's conftitution. External injuries they treat pretty-
well, and efpecialiy are well {killed in healing bruifes and
wounds. They alfo extra£l fplinters, pieces of iron, and
balls, fo carefully that the wound is not enlarged by the ope-
ration. They are perfeft mafters in the treatment of frac-
tures and diflocations. The former occur kfs frequently than
the latter. If an Indian has diflocated his foot or knee,
Vfhen hunting alone, he creeps to the next tree, and tying
one end of his ftrap to it, f^ens the other to the diflocated
limb, and lying on his back, continues to pull till it is
I educed.
Ch. IX. Difeafes and their Cure. 1 1 3
In butnings and chilblains they ufe a deco£lion of beech
leaves, as a fpeedy and fuccefsful remedy. A warm poultice,
made of the flour of Indian corn, is laid upon all boils
and ' impoftumes, till they are ripe, when they are open-
ed with a lancet. In letting blood, a fmall piece of flint
or glafs is faftened to a wooden handle, and placed upon
the vein; which they llrike, till the blood guOies out.
Teeth are drawn with a common pair of pincers, and if the
patient moans or cries out during fuch uncouth operations,
he is heartily laughed at by the phyiician and the company
prefent.
Rheumatifm is confidered by them as a mere external
diforder. They therefore prefcribe nothing inwardly, but
fcarify thofe parts of the body where the pain is moft violent.
In cupping, they make fmall incifions on the Ikin with a
knife, upon which they place a fmall calabafli, and for a lamp
ufe a piece of lighted birch-bark. Some indeed take me-
dicines inwardly, which often efFe6l a radical cure. If a
decodlion of two or three different roots will not anfwer,
they make a compofition of twenty various forts. Yet
bathing and fweating are confidered as the moft power-
ful remedies. Some apply the bark of the white walnut
to the part affe6led, by which the pain is frequently
removed, and an eruption produced in fome part of the
body. It is extremely acrid, and occafions a pungent pain
on that part of the fkin to which it is applied, which after-
wards appears as if it had been fcorched. For the head-ach
they apply a fmall piece of this bark on the temples, and
for the tooth-ach, on the cheek, near to the tooth affefted.
A ftrong decodion of it ufed warm to a frefh wound, is
an excellent ftyptic, and prevents a fwelling of the parts.
But after it has been applied for a day or two, It mufl be
changed for a deco6lion of the root of farfaparilla, which
is of fuch a healing quality, that the wound clofes in a fhort
time.
The Indians are remarkably fkilled in curlmg the bite of,
V-enomous ferpents, and have found a medicine peculiarly
Part I. I adapted
114 Difeafes and tkelr Cure, P. I.
adapted to the tite of each fpecles. For example : The
leaf- of the rattkfnale-rcot (polygnla Senega) is the mod ef-
ficacious remedy againft the bite of this dreadful animal. God
has mercifully granted it to grow in the greatefl: plenty in all
parts moft infefted by the rattlefnake. It is very remarkable,
that this herb acquires its greatefl perfection jufl at the time
v/hen the bite of thefe ferpents is the moft dangerous.
The Indians are fo well convinced of the certainty of tliis
antidote, that many will fufFer themfelves to be bitteh for a
glafs of brandy. The leaves are chewed, and immediately
applied to the wound, and either fome of the juice or a
little fat or butter is fwallowed at the fame time. This
occafions a parching thirft, but the patient muft not be
fufFered to drink. Virginian Snahe-root chewed, makes-
alfo an excellent poultice for wounds of this kind. A
deco£tion of the buds or bark of the luhite ojh (fraxinus
Carolina) taken inwardly, is faid to be a certain remedy
againft the efFefts of this poifon. Salt has lately been found
to be a powerful antidote j and if immediately applied to the
wound, or diffolved in water, and ufed as a lotion, no danger
is to be feared. The fat of the ferpent itfelf, rubbed into-
ihe wound, is thought to be efficacious. If the cure be neg-
ledl:ed, the confequences are terrible. But even thofe who
are cured by the above ineans, have a certain annual fen-
I'ation of the dreadful fymptoms felt when nrft bitten.
The fiefh of the rattlefnake dried, and boiled to a broth,
id faid to be more nouriftiing than that of the viper, and
of fervice in confumptions. Their gall is likewife ufed as
a medicine. The fame m.eans are applied for the recovery
of cattle that have been bitten, and their efticacy appears
even fooner than in men.
The flcin, fhed annually by the rattlefnakes, is dried and
pounded fine by the Indians, who ufe it internally, for many
purpofes. A deco6lion of the bark and root of the thorny ajh
(aralia fpinofa) is ufed as a purifier of the blood. The Indian
phyficians make up their medicines in very large draughts : for
if their apparatus doe^ not make a formidable flibw, it is
^ ■ thought
Ch.IX. Officinal I'iatits, 115
thought of little or no efFe6l,.and the medicines being much
diluted, may be taken in large potions without injury.
I will here infert a brief catalogue of fome officinal plants
in ufe among the Indians.
The Toothach-trce (zanthoxylum clava Herculis) refembles
the afh, and is thus called, becaufe the Indians ufe its vvcod
as a remedy againft tooth-ach^
The 21f//z/>-/r^<? (liriodendron tulipifera) grows in Pennfyl-
vaniaj and all the fouthern provinces, and is one of the tallefl:
and ftoutefl trees. The ftem is frequently feven yards in
circumference, and is ufed for boards, boats, diflies, fpoons^
and cabinet-work. Its flower has a magnificent appearance,
but the fruit gives it that particular name, which refembles
a tulip clofed. Some Indians confider the fruit, and the
bark of the roots, as a powerful fpecific againft agues.
i)5^w/7<3<s?(cornusflorida) is neither tall nor bulky. Many
believe its virtues to be the fame as thoft of the Peruvian bark*
Wild Laurel (laurus seftivaHs) grows in abundance in low
rich grounds : The berries are fmaller than thofe of the com-
mon laurel, but have nearly the fame tafte. The wood has
a flrong aromatic fmell and tafle, and the Indians prepare a
medicinal draught from it.
Sajfafras (laurus faflafras) rifes fomstimes to more thari
thirty feet in height ; but in general, and particularly in
northern latitudes, feldom exceeds that of a common flirub.
The bark and root is preferable to the wood itfelf. The
flowers ferve for tea, and the Indians alio ufe the berries as a
medicine.
The Canada JJjriMy elder [ic\m\)UC\.\sC3.x\-^(\Q:n[\^) refemblei
the elder, and bears a fmall berry of a reddifli hue and
aromatic fmell. A decodlion of the wood or buds is an
excellent remedy in agues, and the Indians ufe it likewif^j
for inflammations.
The Po'tfm-nfi (rhus vernix) is remarkable for po'ifoning
fome perfons at a diftance, when the wind carries its exha-^
lations towards them ; although others may touch, or even
chew its bark and leaves without the leaft prejudice. Its
' } ^ poifoft
11(5 Officinal riants. V.l,
poifon is not deadly j but produces a fwelllng of the whole
body, with an eruption, which, when ripe, refembles the
fmall-pox. The Indians cure it by drinking fafFron-tea, and
ufmg a falve made of cream and marihmaliow.
Wintefgreen (pyrola umbellata) has a white flower. The
berries are red, as large as floes, fmooth and round, and ripen
in winter under the fnow. The Indians eat thefe berries
as a fl:omachic.
A fpecies of Liverwort is confidered as an efficacious re-
medy in confumptive diforders.
Virginian Poke (phytolacca decandra) is a large herb, with
leaves about fix inches long, and two broad, bearing a red
berry, called by fome pigeon-berry, the pigeons being ex-
tremely fond of them. Applications of the roots to the
hands and feet are ufed as ftimulants in fevers.
Jalap (convolvulus jalappa) grows in abundance in the
Indian country, and is prefcribed as a purgative. In the
rheumatifm of the legs they roaft the roots, then flit and
apply them to the foles of the feet as hot as the patient can bear.
Ipecacuanha is ufed not only as an emetic, but alfo as an
antidote againft the bite of ferpents.
Sarfaparilla (fmilax farfaparilla) grows in great abundance
in the country of the Iroquois. The root is ufed in me-
dicine, and its virtues are well known.
Canadian Sanicle (fanicula Canadenfis) ; a tindilure of its root
prepared with brandy is applied to wounds.
A fpecies of Scabious (fcabiofa fuccifa) commonly called
Devil's-bit, on account of the Angularity of its root, is alfo
ufed as a medicine.
Bloodnvort (fanguinaria Canadenfis). The root of this
plant when broken, emits fome drops of the color of blood,
which is a ftrong and dangerous emetic.
Ciickoiv-pint (arum maculatum) has a root like a fmall nut ;
when tailed it inflames the tongue by its pungency, leaving
a tingling fenfation, without affefting any other part of the
mouth. When dried it lofes this power, and is made ufe of
in complaints of the bowels.
Virginian
Ch.IX. . FoJfUOll. , 117
Virginian Suaheroot (ariftolochia ferpentaria) is exceffively
bitter, and much in ufe among the Indians as a fudorific and
ftomachic.
Ginfeng (panox quinquefolium), a plant brought firft from
Corea to Europe by way of Japan, grows wild in North
America. In China and other countries in Afia, this root
is deemed an univerfal remedy, in every kind of diforder.
When chewed, it is an excellent ftomachic. Formerly it
was very dear, and fold in Holland for twenty-five florins a
pound. But about thirty years ago a merchant in North
America received a commiffion to fend a large quantity of
this root to London. He employed fome Indians to collect
as much as they could get, for which he rewarded them
handfomely. Its price of courfe was greatly lowered, when
found in fuch plenty.
One of the moft favorite medicines ufed by the Indians is
the i^£^/ oi/(petrohum) exuding from the earth, commonly
with water. It is faid that an Indian in the fmall-pox, lay
down in a morafs to cool himfelf, and foon recovered. This
led to the difcovery of an oil-fpring in the morafs, and fince
that time many others have been found both in the country
of the Delawares and the Iroquois. They are obferved both
in running and ftanding water. In the latter the oil fwims
on the furface, and is eafily flcimmed off. But in rivers it is
carried away by the ftream. Two have been difcovered by
the miffionaries in the river Ohio. They are eafily found,
by the ftrong fmell they emit, and even thofe in rivers
and brooks may be fmelt at the diftance of four or five
hundred paces. The foil in the neighborhood of thefe fprings
is poor, cold, loamy, or covered with fand. Neither grafs
nor wood thrives in it, except fome fmall crippled oaks. It
does not feem to proceed from a vein of coals, for no coals
have been as yet difcovered in the neighborhood of the
fprings, but ftrataof fand-ftone only. And in the neighbor-
hood of the coal-pits, on the banks of the Mufkingum, not
the Icaft fign of an oil-fpring has hitherto been difcovered,
though the Indians have made the moft diligent fearch.
I 3 This
X 1 8 Art of Potfonwg P. I.
This oil is of a brown color, and fmells fomethlng like tar.
When the Indians colle£l it from a {landing water, they firil
throw away that which floats on the top, as it fmells flronger
than that below it. Then they agitate the water violently
with a fticlc, the quantity of oil increafes with the motion
of the water, and after it has fettled again, the oil is fkimmed
off into kettles, and completely feparated from the water by
boiling. They ufe it chiefly in external complaints, ef-
pecially in the head-ach, tooth-ach, fwellings, rheumatifm,
diflocations, &c. rubbing the part affe£led with it.
Some take it inwardly, and it has not been found to do
harm. It will burn in a lamp. The Indians fometimes fell
it to the white people at four guineas a quart.
One of the moft melancholy caufes of painful diforders
and fudden deaths among the Indians is the ufe of poifon.
There is no want of poifonous herbs and trees for this' pur-
pofe, and their noxious qualities are very different. One
kind of poifon operates by flow degrees, but brings on cer-
tain death in three or four months. Another fort caufes
a lingering illnefs, which may lafl a year or longer, but can-
not be removed by any means whatever. A third fpe-cies of
poifon kills in a few hours, but its effe^l may be prevented
by a timely vomit. This is generally taken by thofe Indians
who deftroy themfelves.
The Nantikoks inftrufted the Delawares and Iroquois in
preparing a peculiar kind of poifon, which is capable of in-
fe6ting whole townfhips and tribes, with diforders as per-
nicious as the plague. The Nantikoks, who were the
wretched inventors of this art, have nearly deftroyed their
own nation by it. They pretend that this method is in-
efficacious, unlefs a company of murderers unite in the
fame defign. The Delawares have attempted to extirpate
this fhocking evil, but in vain, and they are therefore always
in danger of poifon.
The forcerers are fuppofed to occafion certain uncommon
difeafes. The Indians pretend, that a fkilful forcerer may
\\\\ a man in the fpace of twenty-four hours without
;poifonj
Ch. IX. Lidian Buriah. lli^
poifon, merely by die blacic art, even at a diflance of four
or five hundred miles. Others are faid to have the power
of caufing a long and lingering diforder by witchcraft. As
foon as their phyficlans fuppofe the patient to be bewitched,
they know not how to proceed. But if they perceive, that the
patient merely imagines hlmfelf bewitched, they encourage
his fufDiciGns, that they may have the reputation of counter-
a<9:ing even the pov/er of magic, in cafe their medicines fuc-
ceed in removing the complaint.
The Indians fay that their poifon and witchcraft has no
eiTe6l upon the white people, becaufe they eat fo much fait in
•their victuals. But this is merely a pretence for deception,
as there are inftances of Europeans having fallen victims to
-their fKill in poifoning-
Immediately after the death of an Indian, the qorpfe 15
drefled in a new fuit; with the face and (hirt painted red^,
and laid upon a mat or flcin in tlic middle of the hut or cot-
tage. The arms and efFeds of the deceafed are then piled
up near the body. In the evening foon after funfet, and in
the morning before day-break, the female relations and
friends ailemble around the corpfe, and mourn over it.
Their lamentation* are loud in proportion to the love and
€fteem they bore to the deceafed, or to his rank, or the pains
■he fuffered in dying ; and they are repeated daily, till his
interment
The burying-places are at fome diftance from the dv/ell-
ings. The graven are generally dug by old women, as the
young people abhor this kind of work. Before they had
hatchets and other tools, they ufed to line the infide of the
grave with the bark of trees, and when the corpfe was let
down, they placed fome pieces of v/ood acrofs, which
were again covered with bark, and then the earth thrown
in, to fill up the grave. But now they ufually place three
boards, not nailed together, into the grave, in fuch a manner
that the corpfe m.ay lie between them. A fourth board
being laid over it as a cover, the grave is filled up with earth,
Nov.- and then they procure a proivT coffin.
I 4 Thev
I20 Indian Burials. P.I^
They ufed formerly to put a tobacco-poueh, knife,
tinder-box, tobacco and pipe, bow and arrows, gun, powder
and (hot, fklns and cloth for clothes, paint, a fmall bag
ef Indian corn or dried bilberries, fometimes the kettle,
hatchet, and other furniture of the deceafed, into the grave,
fuppofing that the departed fpirits would have the fame want§
and occupations in the land of fouls. But this cuftom i$
almoft entirely abolilhed in the country of the I^elawareg
and Iroquois.
If they have a cofRn, it is placed in the grave empty.
Th^n the corpfe is carried out, lying ijpon a linen cloth,
full in view, that the finery and ornaments, with all the ef-
fe6ls left by the deceafed, may appear to advantage, and ac-
companied by as great a number of friends as can be col-
Je6led. It is then let down into the coffin, covered with
the cloth, and the lid being nailed down, the grave is filled
up with earth. During the letting down of the corpfe the
women fet up a dreadful howl, but it is deemed a fliame in a
man to weep. Yet in filence and uncbferved, they cannot
refrain from tears. At the head of the corpfe, which al^
ways lies towards the eaft, a tall poft is erefted, pointing out
who is burled there. If the deceafed was the Chief of ^
tribe or nation, this poft is only neatly carved, but not painted.
But if he was a captain, it is painted red, and his head and
glorious deeds are pourtrayed upon it. This is alfo done in
honor of a great warrior, his warlike deeds being exhibited
in red colors. The burial-poft of a phyficlan is hung with
fmall tortoife-fliells or a calabafli, which he ufed in his
pra61ice.
After the burial the greater part of the goods left by the
deceafed are diftributed among thofe who aififted in burying
him, and are not related to him. The reft is given to the
ilrangers f.refcnt, each receiving a fhare. Such diftributions
confequently cannot be expelled at the funeral of children
or very poor people.
After the ceremony is over, the mother, grandmother, and
other near relations reti <» after funfetj and in the morning
early^
Ch. IX. Indian Burials. 1 21
early-j to weep over the grave. This they repeat daily for
fome time, but gradually lefs and lefs, till the mourning is
over. Sometimes they place viduals upon the grave, that
the deceafed may not fuffer hunger.
The firft degree of mourning in a widow confifts in her
fitting down in the afhes near the fire, and weeping mod
bitterly ; fhe then rifes and runs to the grave, where (he
makes loud lamentations, returning again to her feat in the
^{hes. She will neither eat, drink, nor fleep, and refufes
all confolation. But after fome time {he fufFers herfelf to
be perfuaded to rife, drink fome rum, and receive comfort.
However, (lie muft attend to the fecond degree of mourning
for one whole year, that is, to drefs without any ornaments,
and wafh herfelf but feldom. As foon as flie appears
decent, combs and anoints her hair, and waflies herfelf clean,
it is confidered as a fign that flie wiflies to marry again.
The men alter neither their drefs nor manner of living
during the mourning.
The Nantikoks have this fingular cuftom, that about
three, four, or more months after the funeral they open
the grave, take' out the bones, clean and dry them, vv^rap
them up in new linen, and inter them again. A feaft is pro-
vided for the occafion, confiding of the befl they can afford.
When an Indian of rank dies, embaffies are frequently
fent from very diftant Indian tribes, to condole with
the relations. The ambafladors deliver their meflage with
the moft ceremonious folemnity, and wipe off the tears with
prefents. When a Chief is in mourning, no complaint is
brought before him, and no advice afked in any affair of ftate ;
even the moft important embaffies from other nations cannot
be attended to by him, till the mourning is over, and he
is comforted. This is commonly done by delivering a firing
or fathom of wampom, and addreffing him to the following
eflFe£l:: " We bury the remains of the deceafed, and cover
*' the grave with bark, that neither the dew of heaven, nor
-" rain, may fall upon it. We wipe off the tears from your
f* eves, and take all forrowfrom your heart. We putyoup
I ^" heart
122 Indian Burials. P. L
*' heart in good order, and make it cheerful, Bcc." The
mourning is then over, and he enters again upon his office.
But when rich Europeans intend to comfort a Chief, they
not only give a firing of wampom, but wrap the corpfe of
the deceafed in a large piece of fine linen ; laying another
piece upon the grave, and wipe the tears from his eyes with
filk handkerchiefs. This means, they make him a prefent
of linen and filk.
When a Chief dies, an embafiyis fent by the neighbors to af-
fure the whole nation of the fliare which they take in this
calamity.
"When the Cherokees fent a formal and numerous embafTy
to the Delawares in Gofchachguenk to renew their alliance
with them, Netawatwees, the firfl in rank among the De-
laware Chiefs, was dead. The ambafladors therefore halted
about two miles below the town, and fent word that they
had arrived thus far. The day after fome captains went
down to bid them welcome and to give them joy on their
arrival. In the fpeech made upon the occafion they faid :
*' We extra6i the thorns frorn your feet, which you have
" got on the journey; we take away the fand and gravel
*' between your toes •, and the wounds and bruifes made by
** the briers and brufliwood, vye anoint with balfamic oil;
, *' we wipe the fweat off your faces, the dull off your eyes ;
" and cleanfe your ears, throats, and hearts from all evil,
** wiiich you have feen or heard by the way, or which has
*' entered into your hearts." A ftring of wampom having
been delivered in confirmation of this fpeech, the captains,
accompanied by a large number of Indians, condu£led the
ambaffadors to the town. On entering, the Cherokees faluted
the inhabitants by firing their pieces, which was anfwered
in the fame manner by the Delawares. Then the firfl am-
baffador began a fong, during v/hich they were brought
to the council-houfe, every thing being prepared for their
reception.
AH being feated, the firft ambaffador of the Cherokees
cxprsiTed his forrow at the death of the Delaware Chief,
an4
'Ch. IX. H'ljlortcal Account of the Indian Nations. 123
and the fliare he took in the general national mourning.
He faid ; " I wrap up his remains in cloth, I bury them,
** and cover the grave with bark. I wipe the tears oiF the
*' eyes of the weeping nation, clear their ears and throats,
*' and take away :.ll forrow from their hearts." He then
confirmed his fpeech by delivering a ftring of wampom.
After this a pipe of tobacco went round among the chief
ambafTiidors of the Cherokees, and as many captains of the
Delawares, and the ceremony clofed with a feaft. The day
following the fubject of their embafly was taken into
confideration.
CHAPTER X.
Hi/ior leal Account of the Indians fine e the Arrival ^ ths
Europeans. Political Confiltiitlon of the Delawares
and Iroquois.
MOST of the Indian nations, which our miffionaries
have vifited, inhabited formerly that part of the Eaft
coafh of North America, which now belongs to the Thirteen
United States, from which they have been driven by the
European fettlers. The Indians relate, that, before the arrival
of the Europeans, fome prophets pretended to have received
a divine revelation, from which they foretold, that a people
would conie to them from a country beyond the great
Ocean, and even pointing out the very day of their arrival.
They further relate, that upon feeing a (hip arrive on that
day, they addrefled their countrymen, " Behold, the Gods
*' come to vifit us." Upon their landing, the white people
were adored by the Indians, to whom they made prefents of
knives, hatchets, guns, and other articles. But the Indians,
4 not
1-24 Hijlorical Account of the Indian Nations. P. ^.
not knowing their ufe, kept them carefully, wore them
about their necks on folemn feftival days, and even wor-
fhipped and offered facrifices to them.
In the be«2;inning it appeared as if the Europeans and
Indians would live peaceably and quietly together. In the
year 1781 there were ftill Tome very aged Indians living on
the banks of the Muddngum, who were prefent when the
fall houfes were built in Philadelphia, They related that
the white people treated the Indians at that time with the
greateft kindnefs> fo that they appeared to be but one nation.
But when the Europeans began to fettle along the navigable
rivers, and extended their agriculture and commerce over a
great part of the country, the deer retired into the wood-
lands, and the Indians followed them. At laft the Europeans
began to attack the few Indians, who remained in their old
towns, and obliged them to retire.
Thus the arrival of the Europeans occafioned the emi-
gration of many nations. One nation crowding in upon
the other, drove it out of its fettlement, or lefTened its ter-
ritory. During all thefe changes the Iroquois remained un-
molefted in their country, where they live to this day. The
Delawares lived formerly in the country about Philadelphia,
extending towards the ocean, in the Jerfeys, about Trenton,
Brunfwick, Amboy, and other places. According to their
own account, they made continual inroads into the towns of
the Cherokees, who then lived on the banks of the Ohio
and its branches. Sometimes a party of Delawares mixed
flyly and undifcovered in, the no£lurnal dances of the Che-
rokees, and falling upon them unawares, murdered many
of them.
The wars betv/een the Delawares and Iroquois were more
violent, and of more ancient {landing. According to the Ac-
count of the Delawares, they were always too powerful for the
Iroquois, fo that the latter were at length convinced that if
they continued the war, their total extirpation would be in--
evitable. They therefore fent the following meffage to the
Delawares t '-* It is not profitable, that all the nations fliould
" be
Ch. X. H'iJ}o}ical Account of the Indian Nailcns. 125
*' be at war with each other, for this will at length be the
*' ruin of the whole Indian race. We have therefore con-
" fidered of a remedy, by which this evil may be prevented.
" One nation (hall be the luonian. We will place her in
" the midft, and the other nations who make war fliall be
*' the man, and live around the woman. No one {hall touch
*' or hurt the woman, and if any one does it, we will im-
*' mediately fay to him, * Why do you beat the woman ?*
" Then all the men (hall fall upon him, who has beaten her.
" The woman fiiall not go to war, but endeavour to keep
" peace v/ith all. Therefore if the men th^it furround her
*' beat each other, and the war be carried on v.'ith violence,
*' the woman (hall have the right of aJdrefling them, * Ye
" men, what are ye about, why do ye beat each other ? we
" are almoft afraid. Confider that your wives and children
** muft perifli, unlefs ye dcGil. Tio ye mean to deilroy your-
" felves from the face of the earth ?' The men fliall then
" hear and obey the woman." , **
The Delawares add, that not imrnedwtely perceiving the
intention of the Iroquois, they had fubmitted to be the
woman : The Iroquois then appointed a great feafl, and in-
vited the Delaware nation to it, when, in confequence of
the authority given them, they made ?. folemn fpeech, con-
taining three capital points: The firfl was, that tliey declared
the Delaware nation to be the ivoman in the following words :
" We drefs you in a woman's long habit, reaching down to
*' your feet, and adorn you with ear-rings j^' meaning, that
they fhould no more take up arms. The fecond point was
thus expreffed : " We hang a calabafn filled with oil and
*' medicines upon your arm. With the oil yon fliall cleanfe
" the ears of the other nations, that they may attend to
" good, and not to bad words ; and with the medicine you
" fliall heal thole, who are walking in foolifli ways, that they
" may return to their fenfes, and incline their hearts to
*' peace." The third point, by which the Delawares were
exhorted to m.ake agriculture their future em.ploy and means
of fubfiftence. was thus worded : " We deliver into your
" hands
126 Hijiorical Account of the Indian Nations. V. t*
" hands a plant of Indian corn and an hoe." Each of thefe
points was confirmed by delivering a belt of wampom, and
thefe belts have been carefully laid up, and their meaning
frequently repeated.
Ever fince this fingular treaty of peace the Iroquois have
called the Delawares their couftns. The three tribes of the
Delawares are called comrades. But thefe titles are only
made ufe of in their councils, and when fome folemn fpeech
is to be delivered.
The Iroquois, on the contrary, aflert that they conquered
the Delawares, and that the latter were forced to adopt the
defencelefs ftate and appellation of a ivoman, to avoid total
ruin.
Whether thefe different accounts be true or "falfe, certain it
is, that the Delaware nation has ever fince been looked unto
for prcfervation of peace, and ertnifted with the charge of
the great belt of peace, and chain of ftiendfhip, which they
mud take care to py^ferve inviolate.
According to the figurative explanation of the Indians, the
middle of the chainof friendthip is placed upon the flioulder
of the Delawares, the reft of the Indian nations holding one
end, and the Europeans the othei
Such was the ftate of things in 1755, when a war broke
out between the Indians and white people, into whicL the
Delawares were enticed by the Iroquois. For this purpofe a
new treaty was made, by which, according to the expreffion
of the Indians, the woman's drefs of the Delaware nation was
fhortened fo as to reach only to their knees, and an hatchet
was given into their hands by way of defence. The Iro-
quois then folicited their affiftance agalnft the white people,
as auxiliary troops. They even propofed, at a council held
at Pittft)urg, to take their woman's drefs away, and clothe
them like men. But the Delawares being unwilling to take
an adlive part in the war, and well aware that the Iroquois
only fought their ruin, one of their Chiefs In the name of
the reft, thus addreffed them ; " Why do you want to rob
'• the woman of her drefs? I tell you, that if you do it, you
« will
i
Ch. X. Hijlorical Account of the Indian Nations. J2J
" will find creatures in it, ready to bite you. But if you
" have an inclination to fight, we will try our fortune, and
" fee which of us (hall obtain the victory." This bold
challenge the Iroquois pafied over in filence for that time,
but were extremely enraged at it j and foon after fell upon
them, at the inftigation of the Englifh, took many captives,
cfpecially of the Monfy tribe, whom they delivered over to
the Englifli, deftroyed their towns on the Sufquehannah, and
killed their cattle. The Delawares have not yet forgiven the
Iroquois, for this cruel piece of treachery j and from the
charadler of the Indians in general it is not to be fuppofed,
that they ever will : Even in the late war, they exerted them-
felves very courageoufly in revenging this perfidious treat-
ment.
About eighty years ago the Delawares came to the river
Ohio, and were obliged to retire up the Delaware river from
the encroachments of the Europeans. To revenge the infult
given them by the Cherokees, who had fuddenly fallen upon
them, fome hundreds of Delaware warriors went into the
country of their enemies. The latter fled before their ar-
rival, and the warriors finding the land near the Ohio very
pleafant, and the beaver-hunt in Beaver Creek very produc-
tive, they fettled there, and were followed in time by many
of their countrymen. Afterwards the Hurons, who were
owners of that country, made it over to them in a formal
treaty, and the Kikapus made them a prefent of a large tra6t
of woodland on the Wabafch, bordering upon their towns,
for the purpofe of hunting. At prefent the Delawares call
the whole country as far as the entrance of the river V/abafch
into the Ohio, Alligevinengk, that is, " a land, into which
" they came from diftant parts." They lived here in peace j
till 1773. But when foon after the Iroquois fold a large tra6t I
of land on the eaft fide of the Ohio to the Europeans, many
of the Delawares were obliged to retire to the Mulkingum.
The warlike Shawanofe formerly lived in Florida, and were
reduced to a very fmall number by their long v/ars with the
Mofchko nation. Part of them retired to the Ohio, and the
reft to the Sufquehannah, without having any fixed habita-
tion,
128 Hijlorical Account of the Indian Nations. f*. I.
tlon. At length they obtahied permiffion from the Delawares
to -live upon their land, under their prote£lion, and were
called nephew in common with the Mahikans.
The Shawanofe now call the Delawares grandfather.
All the nations, in league with the Delawares, joined the
alliance of the latter with the Shawanofe, by which they
are fo fecure, that no nation will eafily venture to attack the
Shawanofe. Afterwards they lived for fome time in the
forks of the Delaware, and then in Wajomik on the Suf-
qiJehannah, v/here they greatly increafed in numbers. Some-
time after they moved to the weilern branch of that river^
and thence to the Ohio above Great Ifland.
Their increafed population, and the ftrong confederacy
between them and the Delav/ares encouraged them foon to
gratify their warlike difpofition, and to commence hoftilities
againfb the Cherokees. The latter proved often vi£lorious,
and purfued the Shawanofe into the country of the De-
lawares, killing fomc of thejatter. This brought on a new
wai? between the Delawares and Cherokees. The Cherokees
had always been a powerful people, but had many enemies
among the nations, and of thefe the Delawares were moft
to be dreaded. They were therefore the firit to propofe
peace, and fought their friendfhip in particular, acknowledg-
ing them to be their grandfather. By their mediation they
alfo obtained a peace with the Six Nations. This happened
in 1768. The Shawanofe remained for fome time on the
Ohio, then moved to Logtown, and thence to the river
Sioto. But in 1780 the troops of the Congrefs drove them
away, and deftroyed their towns, on account of their fre^,
quent incurfions into the fettlements of the white people,
and the murders they committed. Thus they were com-
pelled to feek a dwelling further to the weft.
The numbers in this and other Indian nations are not
eafily afcertained. For the Indians themfelves are either
ignorant of this fubje£l:, or are unwilling to give a true
account, for they would have the Europeans to believe that
they are a very numerous and powerful race.
Before
Ch. X. Hlflorlcal Account cf the' Ind'uin Natlom. \ig
Before the arrival of the Europeans, their numbers were;
far greater than at prefent; for feme of the nations are
now reduced to a few hundreds. But as they have different
languages, they muft be ftill confidered as feparate nations.
A nation, able to raife one thoufand warriors, is confidered
as flrong by the Indians. The Chippeways, who are about
fifteen thoufand in number, are accounted the moft con-
fiderable.
Their decreafe is owing to Intemperance, drunkennefs,
polfon, Irregular marriages, and the many wars they carry
on, not only with the Europeans, but with each other, at
their inftigation. The fmall-pox may likewife be deemed a
principal caufe of It.
Yet fmall as fome Indian nations are, each remains
feparate from the reft, without Intermixing with their
neighbors, from whom they endeavour to diftlngulih them-
felves as much as pofllble. Even in forfaken dwellings, the
Indians can difcovcr of what nation the former Inhabitants
were, by the manner In which the pofts or beams are placed*
Mofh nations are divided into tribes, each forming a feparate
republic within the ftate. The firft tribe of the Delawares
is called the large Tortoife; the fecond, the Turkey; the third,
the >rolf.
The land Inhabited by the Indian nations has no £?:ed
boundaries. The country In which a nation firft fettled,
became its property without difpute. But when one nation
drives out another, the conquerors claim the land taken in
warns their due and lawful property, even though they do not
inhabit it. Thus the Mofhkos In Florida do not inhabit the
country, formerly pofleffed by the Shawanofe. but they con-
fider it as belonging to them by right of conqueft.
Each nation is careful to afcertain Its own diftri<^,
and will fufFer no encroachments, on account of hunting.
They willingly receive fuch nations as have been expelled
by others, as this increafes their ftrength and influences
and are always forry to leifen their numbers by emi-
grations.
Part I. K Detached
130 Political Conjlitutton of the Indian Nations^. P. 1.
Detached Indian families living among the white people on
the banks of rivers, and on that account called River-
Indians, are generally a loofe fet of people, like our gypfiea.
They make bafkets, brooms, wooden fpoons, diihes, &c.
and fell them to the white people for victuals and clothes.
The Delawares and Iroquois, like all other Indian nations,
have no regular political conftitution. They know no ma-
giftracy, law, or reftraint. This they call liberty, and there
is nothing, which they value more. Each of them may re-
move and fettle when and where he pleafes. Sometimes a
family retires into a folitary place, to avoid being annoyed by
drunkards. Others live alone, in order to carry on the pro-
fitable traffic in rum, more to their own advantage.
The building of a town is not undertaken by the command
of a Chief, or by the unanimous vote of the Council, but by
the concurrence of a few individuals, who agree to affift each
other in building and planting.
Each nation however, confidering itfelf as a united body,
has a kind of government of tlirir own chufing. Chiefs are
appointed in every Indian nation, and, though improperly
called kings by fome, are in fa£l nothing more than the moll
refpected among their equals in rank.
The Delaware nation being divided into three tribes, has
three principal Chiefs, of whom the UmfJii is eileemed the
firft in rank, and confequently the firft man in the whole
nation. Each Chief has his counfellors, who are either ex-
perienced warriors, or aged and refpeftable fathers of families.
Thefe conflitute the council, appointed to watch over the
welfare of the tribe. In matters regarding the whole nation,
the three Chiefs and their counfellors fend reprefentatives
to attend a general council.
The Chief muit. always be a member of that tribe in which
he prefides, but is not chofen by his own tribe, but by the
Chiefs of the other two tribes. The latter, with their coun-
fellors and whole tribes, meet at an appointed place, and
theli move on in proceffion with finging, towards the town
where the cledion is ta take place.
The
CH. X. Political Cofifiitution of the Indian Nations* I3 1
The two Chiefs having entered the council-houfe at the
caft-end, and feated themfelves around two or three fires,
the inhabitants of the town bid them welcome; after
which, one of the Chiefs opens the bufinefs by explain-
ing the aim of their meeting, and mentioning the name
of I'aQ Chief eIe£V. He then proceeds in a fmging tone,
*' We wipe the tears off your eyes, clear your ears and
•* throats, remove all forrow and mourning on account
" of the death of the late Chief from your heart, and
** comfort you ;" after which he folemnly declares the Chief
eledl to be Chief of the tribe, and places him upon the feat of
his predeceiTor. He then exhorts the young people to be
obedient to their new Chief, whenever he {hall require their
affiftance, confirms his fpeech with two belts, and receives a
folemn promife from the young people, that they will fulfil
their duty. He likewife addrcfles the wife of the new
Chief, who is attended by feveral women, and admonifiies
her, as the reprefentative of her whole fex, to be obs^dient
and fubjeft to the new Chief, which (he promifes in the
name of all the women. Finally he lays before the new-
Chief the duties of his office } regarding the prefervation or
re-eftablifhment of peacej admonifliing him not to meddle
with affairs of war, and to keep his people from it ; con-
tinually to attend to the welfare of his nation, and willingly
to hear their remonftrances, if he fhould commit a fault
The new Chief promifes to a£t in ftri£i conformity to thcfe
injunftions. All thefe fpeeches are fung, and confirmed by
belts. Thus the new Chief enters upon his office, by con-
fent of the whole nation, and whoever obtains the office of
Chief in any other way, is not regarded.
A Chief, duly ele£led, and folemnly invefled with his off.ee,
IS beloved and refpedled by%his people, who fafely confide
in his meafures. If he is intelligent and flcilful enough t0 .
gain the efteem and afFe<Slion of the Captains and the people,
the former fupport his authority, and affift him m every
poffible way. A Captain is the Chief's right hand. He muft
undertake every thing committed to him by the Chief, even
Ka at
f32 Palttkal Con^itutlon of the Indian Nations, P. t<f
at the hazard of his life, for his duty as Captain requires^
this of him. But if he is either wounded or killed by the
enemy, the whole nation joins in revenging his death.
But a Chief ought above all things to fecure the good-will
of his counfellors, for without their alliftance he becomes a
mere cypher. The Chief Netawatwees afed to lay all afRiirs
of ftate before his counfellors for their confideration, with-
out telling them his own fentiments. When they gave him
their opinion, he either approved of it, or ftated his objec-
tions and amendments, always alledging the reafons of hi&
difapprobation. Thus -lie kept them adlive, and maintained
great refpe£t.
The rich are likewife ccnfidered as principal fupporters
of the Chiefs, as they can furnifh them with wampom upoo
an emergency. Upon extraordinary occafions, a voluntary
contribution of wampom is made by the whole tribe o5:
nation. The ufual expences are defrayed from the treafury-
cheft of the couniil, which is never fuffered to be empty.
Both this and the archives of the council are under the care
of the Chief.
A Chief is indeed empowered and obliged, with the
advice of his counfellors, to keep good order amongft hi»
tribe, and to decide in all quarrels and difputes ; but he dare
not venture to command, compel, or punifli any one, as in
that cafe he would immediately be forfaken by the whole
tribe. Every word that looks like a command is immediately
reie£led with contenl|)t by an Indian, proud of his liberty.
The Chief muft endeavour to rule over his people merely by
calm reafoning and friendly exhortations. Sometimes he
cannot fuccecd, even with the beft intentions, and muft
have recourfe to artifice. He even dare not confide al-
togecher in his counfellors. He is therefore cautious, and
endeavours to gain by flow degrees, what cannot be efFe£led
at once. The Chiefs are in general friendly, courteous,
hofpitable, affable men, kind to all, and their houfe is open
to every Indian. Even ftrangers, who come on bufinefs,
put up in the Chiefs houfe, and are accommodated with the
^- beft
Ch. X. PolitkaJ Conjiilutlon of the Indian Nations, 133
bed it affords. The ambafTadors of other nations always
lodge with the Chief, but if their number is tob great, they
are put into a feparate houfe, and provided with every thing
at the public expence. The Chief is empowered to prevent
all diforders proceeding from the ufe of fpirituous liquors, and
to prohibit their importation, but they are feldom either in-
clined, or refolute enough to do their duty in this refpedl,
or to fet an example of fobriety.
Another duty of the Chief is that of keeping tlie people
together, to prevent any unnecefTary difperfion. But if he
is neither beloved nor refpedled, the Indians appear like
flieep without a ihepherd.
The puniftiment of aflaults, murders, and other atrocious
crimes, is not ■committed to the Chief, but to the injured
family, nor has he power to grant a pardon.
He mull provide for his own maintenance, for no one is
under any obligation to fupply his wants. But as he ha« fo many
guefts at his houfe, who require a great quantity of provi-
sions, his friends and other Indians furnifli him with game,
and the women aflift his wife in her plantations.
"When one Chief intends to pay a vifit to another Chief,
'he fends him a piece of tobacco, with this meffage : " Smoke
** of this tobacco, and look towards my dwelling, then thou
<' fnalt fee me coming towards thee on fuch a day."
The principal duty of the firft Chief of the Dclawares
is to maintain the peace and covenants made between . them
and the reft of the Indian nations and the Europeans. He
therefore carries on a kind of correfpondence with them, with
a view to be .always acquainted with their dlfpofltion towards
his people. He alfo fends embaflies, but generally with the
advice and confent of the two other Chiefs. If the Europeans
or Indians fend a difagreeable meflage, the Chief's anfwer
has always a double meaning. It would be deemed very
rude to require an explanation, and againft the law of the
(late to give one.
For fmall miltakes, the Chief is admoniihed by his people;
K3 but
134 Political Cofijfituiton of the Indian Nathtis. P. I,
but for any mifdemeanor, which may prove injurious to the
commonwealth; for inftance, if he llxould fufFer the young
people to commit outrages, or murders, which maybe laid to
the charge of the whole nation, and involve them in a war,
or if he fhould not do every thing to prevent it in the firft in-
flance; he is reprimanded by the two other Chiefs, with the
fame ceremonious folemnity ufed at his inftallation, and muft
promlleto fulfil his duty better for the future. If he continues
to neglccl it, they all for fake him, and hispov/er is at an end.
The ilrings and belts of wampom, and the great feal,
v/hich were in poficffion of the Chief by virrue of his office, are
carefully pre ferved by the council after his death, until a
new Chief is appointed.
The fons of Chiefs canngt inherit their father's dignity,
being confidered as llrangers on account o,f thsir mother j
but a grandchild, great-grandchild, or nephew, may fucceed
him. In general, fome perfon, who lived in intimacy with
the deceafed Chief, and is well acquainted with the affairs
of the ftate, is chofen his fuccefibr; and among the De-
lawares this is law. But with the Chippeways, the fon of ^
Chief has a legal right to fucceed his father. -
Affairs of importance are always laid before the council,
and without its confent, no prppofal can be put into execu-
tion. The council-houfe is either the houfe of the Chief,
which is commonly large and roomy, or a building ere£led
for that purpofe. The counfellors are called together by a
fervant, and each fits down upon the ground, around a large
fire, provided with pipe and tobacco. Women are never
admitted to the council, and a few only are allowed to be
prefent, to hand the viduais and keep up the fire, which they
elleera a great honor. Provifions mud always be in plenty
in the council-houfe \ for eating and cleliberating take their
turns. Above all, the firings and belts of wampom mpft be
placed in due order, for whatever is faid without being con-
firmed by them, is vain, and without effe61;. They are fo
ufed to this cuilom, that whefi they communicate the qon-
tepts
Ch. X. Political Conjiituiion of the Indian Nations* 135
tents of a meflage, merely in private converfatlon, they can-
■not do it without fomething in their hands, either a (trap, a
ribband, or a ftraw.
Cool deliberation always precedes a fpeech in the council.
The principal Chief opens the debate by a fpeech, fetting forth
the fubjei^s, upon which he defires the advice and opinion of
the Council, in plain and explicit terms, commonly ftrongly
exprefled, but now and then in a more difguifed manner.
Thefe fpeeche^ are always in a figurative ftyle. For in-
ftance, if they wifli to exprefs the re-eft.abU(hment of peace
between two nations, they fay: " We make a road, ex-
*' tending above five hundred miles through the wood i we
'* root out the thorns and brufhes, remove all the trees, rocks,
" and ftones out of the way, tranfplant the mountains,
** drew the road with fand, and make every thing fo clear
" and light, that one nation may look towards the other with-
" out any interception." Each counfellor has full liberty
to utter his fentiments without reftraint, and having made
his fpeech, he fits down. The folemn fpeeches of the De-
lawares are characterized by much animation, and a pleafing
flow of words. The behavior of tiie fpeakers is perfe£lly
confiftent with the dignity of the aflembly, and the import-
ance of the fubjeft. No one interrupts the fpeaker, but all
fit as filent and attentive as if engaged in an a£l of devotion.
No ftranger can be prefent at their councils, without a fenfa-
tion of refpedl.
When all have fpoken, one of them is called upon to fum
up the principal parts of the different fpeeches, in a concife
manner. This is done extempore, and tlie neceffary amend-
ments propofed, every fubje£l being carefully brought into
as fhort and comprehenfive a point of view as poflible.
No guefls are admitted to any confultation, if the early
promulgation of it might lead to doubtful confequences.
Other wife every one maybe prefent as a hearer j but the
women muil (land without.
If a Chief thinks it unfafe to mention from what quarter
Jie has received the meflage under confideration, he fays,
li 4 that
136 Political Conjlitutlon of the Indian Nations. P. I.
that fonie one rofe out of the ground, as he was fitting by
the fire at night, , who, delivering a firing or belt of wam-
pom, had whifpered into his ear, and then retired again into
the earth.
In general the Chief does not fpeak in council,but has hisown
fpeaker, to whom he communicates his fentiments, and leaves
him to expatiate upon them. The fpeaker has feklom any-
time to prepare or arrange his fubjetl, the different heads
being only briefly named, or left for him to colle6t from the
converfation of the Chiefs. He muft then be able to com-
prife the whole in a fpeech, well arranged and uninter-
rupted, which requires a clear and open underflanding, a
faithful memory, experience in the affairs of the flatc, and
knowledge of the figurative language, and of the terms pe-
culiar to their m.ode of delivery.
The Indian fpeakers afpire to a eertsin elegance of expref-
fjon in their public fpeeches, which is directed more by
the rules of ancient cuflom, thanthofe of oratory. Young
men, deftined for this ofhce, are admitted as hearers in the
council, and to a familiar intercpurfe with the Chiefs, who
inflrud them faithfully.
They are firfl employed as ambafiadors, to give them an
opportunity of exeixifmg themfelves, in fpeaking in public,
till they are qualified to flep forth as fpeakers in council.
Though in affairs of the whole nation, nothing can be done
without the confent of the council, yet even then the people
cannot be compelled by force to do any thing again ft their
inclination. For though the council fnould determine upon
fomething of great advantage to the tribe or nation, yet each
j-nember has full liberty to alTifl in putting it into execution
or not.
The Delawares are celebrated for their courage, peaceful
difpoGtion, and powerful alliances. For almoit all the
nations living in their neighborhood are in league witH
them, efpecially the Mahikan,Shawanofe, Cherokees,Twich-
twees, Wav/iachtanos, KIkapus, Mofhkos, Tukachfhas,
Chippe\yays, Ottawas, Putev/oatamen, and Kafkailaas. AH
thefe
Ch,X. Political Conflkutlon^ the Indian Nations. 137
ihefe call the Delawares, Grandfather. The Delawares
have never been at war vt^lth any of them, excepting the
Cherokees, as above mentioned, and have even mainiaincd
their friendfliip v.-ith the vvurlike Hurons, Their political
views feem to center in an endeavour to gain and preferve
the good-will and fnenddv.p of other nations. T'ley treat
all ftrange Indian vifitors with g eat honor and hofpi'.^lity,
that th^y may return with a prop.-r imprefli ui of their good
chara£ler. Of late years they have amazi igly increafed their
reputation, through the good management of their late Chief
Netawatwees. Tds wife man fpared tio pains to conciliate
the affe£iion of all his neighbors. He fent frequent embaffies
£0 his grandchildren, admonifhing them to keep peace, and
proved in truth, a wife grandfather to them.
Thus much of the Delawares. We will add a few re-
marks concerning the Iroquois or Six Nations.
An Iroquois has fuch an exalted idea of his greatnefs and
liberty; that he will admit of no equal in rank, but the king
cf England, he being a fovereign, and theEngliih in general,
only fubjedts. However, the Englifli governors frequently
take the liberty of addreffing the Chiefs of the Iroquois in
their public tranfa£lions to this efFeft : ** We and you are
" brothers, but the king of England is our and your father j"
and they condefcend to put up with it.
The chief paliion of the Iroquois is for war, to which they
are trained up from their infancy. There are few Indian
nations, excepting thofe living at a great diflance, agalnil
whom they have not carried onvery cruel v/ars, and of long
continuance. Ever fince the year 1600, they have had fre-
ijuent wars with the French.
The political conftitution of the Six Nations nearly rc-
fembles that of a republic. Each of them is independent of
the other, or, as they exprefs it, have their ov.ai fire, around
which their Chiefs, Captains, and Counfellors aflemble, to
take the particular concerns of their nation into deliberation.
But they have a large common fire, burning at Onondago,
to
138 Political Conjlituihn of tie Indian Nation f, P.T,
to which the Great Council, confifting of all the Chiefs of
th.^ Six Nations, refort.
In the year 1745, Auguft Gottlieb Spangenberg, a bifhop
of the United Brethren, fpent feveral weeks in Onondago,
and frequently attended the great cotincil. The ccmnciU
hovds. was built of bark. On each fide fix feats were placed,
each containing fix perfons. No one was admitted befides
the members of the Council, except a few, who were par-
tieulrjrly honored. If one rofe to fpeak, all the reft fat in
profound iilence, fmoking their pipes. The fpeaker uttered
liis words in a finging tone, always rifing a few notes at the
clofe of each fentence. Whatever was pleafing to the
council, was confirmed by all with the word Necy or Tes,
And at the end of each fpc:ech, the whole company joined in
applauding the fpeaker by calling Hoho. At noon, two men
entered, bearing a large kettle filled with meat, upon a pole
acrofs their ihoulders, which was firft prefented to the
Ijaefts. A large wooden ladle, as broad and deep as a com'*
mon bowl, hung with a hook to the fide of the kettle, with
which e\'ery one might at once help hin.felf to as much as he
could eat. When the guefts had eaten their fill, they begged
the counfellors to do the fame. The whole was condu£led
in a very decent and quiet manner. Indeed now and then
one or the other v.ould lie flat upon his back to red him-
felf, and fometimes they would (lop, joke, and laugh
heartily.
All public bufincfs between any nation and the Iroquois,
Bfjuft be brought to the great fire in Onondago. To attempt
to gain over, or bribe one or the other member of council,
Tjpculd be highly dangerous to both parties. Bribes would
raife the jealoufy of the whole afiembly. If prefents are
made, they muft be divided among all in equal fhares. This
is an inviolable article of their confederacy, the tranfgreffion
of which would weaken their union. As they know that
their whole ftrength lies in harmony, they punifh every thing
tending to fubvert it with the greateft feverity. Thus
briber?
Ch. X. Political Conflttutlon of the Indiati Nations . 139
bribery avails as little as a threat. In general their govern-
ment is fevere, but founded upon good principles. They
have likewife agents amongft other nations, to watch over
their own intereft.
The Six Nations made themfelves fo refpe^tedby the Eng-
lifh and French, that thefe two nations vied with each other
in feeking and renewing their alliance with them. The
Indians call a treaty of peace and its confirmation, polifhing
the chain of friendfhip, taking the ruft off, and making it
bright and fliining. Both nations received their deputies
'with great pomp and folemnity, and made them rich pre-
fents. The Englifh on fuch occafions frequently bought
large tra61:s of land from them, and fecured the purchafe
by a deed of fale, figned by the Chiefs of the Iroquois in the
Indian manner. All thefe tranfadions were public, and every-
one was admitted. When the Englifh governor made any
propofal, defiring the opinion of the Indians, their ufual
anfwer was: " We have comprehended the meaning of our
*' brother, the governor j we will now confider it among our-
*' felves, and when our anfwer is ready, notice fhall be given
*' to the governor, that we may meet again." If they ac-
cepted of the terms, the payment agreed upon was delivered
to them in exchange for the deed of fale. This confifted
chiefly in a certain quantity of Spanifh dollars, befides which,
a prefent was added of blankets, guns, powder and fhot,
hatchets, knives, looking-glafles, colors, &c. Thefe articles
were divided among the Six Nations, fo that each received
ia proportionate part, which was afterwards diftributed to the
people by their refpe£live Chiefs.
The Iroquois are particularly attentive to the education of
young people for the future government of the ftate ; and
for this purpofe admit a young boy, generally the nephew
'of the principal Chief, to the council and folemn feaft fol-
lowing it, and even to the feaft given by the Englifli go-
vernor.
Each nation has its principal, and each tribe its particular
Chief. The Iroquois require a Chief to be, if not the beft,
I at
14© Political Conftittition of the Indian Nations.. P. I,
St leafl:> a very flcilful hunter, and to be liberal of his game.
He mud alfo be a good phyfician, and able to advife and
aflill .the fick in every circumftance. It is his duty to take
care of orphans, to harbor ftrangers, and to keep good order
in the town. But as he has no more power of compulfion
£han a Delaware Chief, he muft keep up his reputation by a
prudent, courteous, and winning behavior.
Moil of the nations, living beyond the United States,
are more or lefs connefled with the Iroquois. Some are
called brcthers^ as the Hurons \ others coufmsy which implies a
degree of fubordinatiou. From the latter, they expedl now
and then a tribute of wampom ; they point out the place of
their dwelling, and even difpofe of their land ^t pleafure.
They even once fold a piece of land, formerly belonging to
the Delawares. The latt«j- having never been conquered by
tlie Iroqu' is, refufed to agree to the bargain.- and would not
quit their dwellings: upon which the Iroquois threatened
to murder them all, if they remained upon it, and thus drove
them away by force. They willingly permit their coujins to
dv/ell upon their land, and amongH: them, but they are never
admitted members either of the great or fpecial councils.
When an Indian of the Six Nations goes to war, and he
meets with a coujiny he makes him carry his bundle. They
ate therefore more feared than beloved by their neigh-
bors.
In the year 175*5, ten nations living weft of Philadelphia,
entered into an alliance againft the Iroquois. They were
fupported by the French, then at war^with the Englifh. It
feemed as if the ten allied nations were to a£t againft the
Englifn, but the Iroquois foon perceived the contrary.
When peace was concluded between the two latter powers,
they ftill kept up their confederacy, and have probably lef-
fened the power and influence of the Iroquois.
The political confticution of the Mahikans, Shawanofe,
Cherokees, Hurons, and others, refembles in a great meafure
that of the Delawares,
In
Gh. XT. Indian Manner of making War. 14 1
In the late war between Great Britain and her Colonies,
mofl of the Indians took part with the Englifii. The coiife-
quence was, that in the year 1779, the Iroquois were entirely-
driven from their country by the troops of the Congrefs.
Their towns were all deftroyed, and they thus experienced
a fate which probably had never before befallen them.
CHAPTER XI.
Wars among the Indians, and Ceremonies attending
the EJiablipment of Peace,
ACCORDING to the mod authentic tefllmony of th«
oldeft Indians, their wars were formerly carried on with
much greater fury, andlafted much longer, than in the prefent
times. Some were even hereditary. Theruinsof former towns
are ftill vifible, and feveral mounds of earth {how evident
proofs that they were raifed by men. They were hollow, hav-
ing an opening at the top, by which the Indians let down their
women and children, whenever an enemy approached, and
placing themfelves around, defended them vigoroully. For this
purpofe they placed a number of ftones and blocks on the top
of the mound, which they rolled down againfh the aflaiiants.
On thefe occafions great numbers of both parties were killed,
and generally buried together in one large hole, and covered
•with earth. Thefe graves are ft:ill vifible in many places,
and their antiquity may be known by the large trees which
grow upon them.
The ofFenfive weapons formerly in ufe were bows, arrows,
and clubs. The latter were made of the hard eft wood, not
quite the length of a man's arm, and very heavy, with a large
round
1^.2 Indian Alanner of making TF'ar, P. I,
round knob at one end. Their weapon of defence was a
fhleld made of the tough hide of a bufFaloe, on the con-
cave fide of which they received the arrows and darts of
the enemy, but this is now entirely laid afide by the Dela-
wares and Iroquois, though they ftill ufe bows, arrows, and
clubs of war. They now arm the knobs of their cluba
with nails and pieces of iron. They formerly ufed guns
merely for pleafure on feftival days, but now they are
become excellent markfmen, both in war and hunting.
When they attack an enemy, they take feveral balls in their
mouths, ready to load again, or hang them ia a pouch round
their necks. They likewife make ufe of an hatchet and long
knife.
The army both of the Delawares and Iroquois confifts of
all their young men, among whom there are even boys of
fifteen. The warriors are under the command of the cap-
tains, efpecially in times of war, and do nothing without
their confent. They neither leave the troop, nor go an
hunting, and as they know that their life and honor in a
great meafure depends upon the prudent condu£t of their
captain, they obey him with pleafure.
A Captain among the Indians, is what we fhould call a
commander or general. He has feveral fubordinate officers^
in proportion to the number of troops under his command.
The rank of Captain is neither elective nor hereditary. The
firft occafion to this appointment is generally a dream, early
in life, which a young man or his friends interpret as a
deftiny for the office of Captain. He therefore endeavours
to attain to the neceflary qualifications for this dignity, and
to prove his prowefs by feats of valor. The Indians reckon
prudence, cunning, refolution, bravery, undauntednefs, and
efpecially good fortune, to be the qualifications, without
Mt^hich no one can afpire to fo diftinguifhed an office. If a
leader, who.'has not yet the rank of Captain, has the good
fortune, not to lofe a man of his troop in fix or feven engage-
ments, and to bring prifoners and trophies of viftory to the
Campi he is declared a Captain without further ceremony.
Cliap. Xr. Indian Manner of makhig JVar. 143
But if he lofes men, an<l cannot replace them with prifor.crs ;
his authority is at an end, ami he dare not think of the otiicc.
If an Indbn lofes his fon, or one of his near relations ia
%var, whom he highly valued, he gives an hatchet and ^ belt of
wampom to a leader, who wiflies to become a Captain, and
defires him to go and take a prifoner, to fupply the plac; of
the deceafed, and comfort the afflicted family. If he is for-
tunate in his exploit, he immediately hangs tlie belt round ths
prifoner's neck to denote, that he fliall be received into a
family, and upon delivering him over to his employer, re-
ceives the belt as a reward, or token of remembrance of tiie
valorous dtcd which paved his way to the rank of Captain.
But if he is unfuccefsful, his attempt is confidered 23 the
temerity of an unflcilfu! fellow, and he cannot hope for the
appointment. Thus, as good fortune mufl chiefly decide m
this promotion, there are not many Captains. There are
however a few in each tribe.
To begin war is called by the Indians, to lift up the hatrh-et.
They always pretend to have the moft jufl and important
reafons for it; among which, they chiefly urge the necefiity
of revenging injuries done to the nation : but the honor of
being diftinguifhed as great warriors, is no fmall motive.
This operates principally with the Iroquois, for they know
of no greater merit than to kill or take a great number of
enemies. The Captains are capable of preffing thefe two
leading principles, on the minds of their people, with all
the force of warlike eloquence : — " The bones of your mur-
** dered countrymen,'' fay they, " lie uncovered ; they Ac'
** mand revenge at our hands, and it is our duty to obey
** them: Their fpirlts loudly call upon us, and we mult
** fatisfy them. Still greater fplrits, watching over our
" honor, infpire us with a refolution to go in purfuit of the
*' murderers of our brethren. Let us go and devour them !
" Do not fit ina£live! FoUov/ the impulfe of yourhere-
" ditary valor ! Anoint your hair ! Paint your faces ! Fill
" your quivers ! Make the woods echo with your voices!
** Comfort the fpirits- of the deceafed, and revenge their
« blood!"
144 J^idian Manner ofniahng War. P. I,
" blood!'* &c. — Inflamed by fucli exhortations, they feize
their arms, found the war-whoop, and pant with impatience
to imbrue their hands in the blood of their enemies j and
then a(£l together againft their common enemy, as if one
foul infpired them.
If a whole nation is going to engage in a war, their pre-
vious confiderations are circumfpeft and flow, and they
carefully weigh all the propofals made, comparing the pro-
bable advantages or difadvantages that may accrue to the
State.
A Chief cannot begin a war without the confcnt of hii
Captains : nor can he accept of a war-belt, but under the
condition of its being confidered by the Captains. He muH:
endeavour to preferve peace to the utmofl of his pov/er.
But if the Captains are unanimous in declaring war, he i&
obliged, as it were, to deliver the care of his people, for the
prefent, into their hands, and to lay down his office. Yet
his influence tends greatly either to prevent or encourage
the commencement of a war : For the Indians believe, that
a war cannot be fuccefsful without the confent of the Chief,
and the Captains endeavour, on that account,. to live in har-
mony with him.
If war is determined on, and they wifli to enfure the affi fi-
ance of any nation in league with them, they notify it by
fending a piece of tobacco, or by an embalTy. By the f:ril
they intend, that the Captains fhall fmokc their pipes and
confider ferioufly, whether they will take fhare in the war
or not. The embafliy is entrufled to a Captain, who carrier
a belt of wampom, upon which the aim of the embafly is
defcribed by certain figures, and an hatchet with a red handle.
Having previoufly informed the Chief of his commiffion, he
proceeds to lay it before the council : he firft lays the hatchet
down upon the ground, and then delivers a long fpeech,
holding the war-belt in his hand. He clofes his addrefs, by
defiring them to lift up the hatchet, and delivering his belt.
If this is complied with, nothing more is faid, and this a£i
is confidered as a foleran promife to lend every affiftance*
But
C^ip. XL Indian Manner of mahing J far. J^|
jBut If neither the hatchet is lifted up, nor the belt accepted,
the ambaflador concludes, that the nation chufes to remaiii
neutral, and returns home. Some Indians declare war, by
fending a red hatchet to the nation they intend to attacb
This is a dangerous commiffion, and frequently attended
with the death of the meffenger. The nation challenged in
this manner is often fo inllantly 'enraged, that, without
confulting their Capcains, a fmall party fets out to wield a
fnnilar hatchet, or with a red lance or dart to pierce the heart
of the firft man belonging to the nation that fent the chal-
lenge. If they wi(h to provoke their enemy to the lail de*
gree, they disfigure the body of the Hain, as if they would
fay, that they do riot look upon them as men. But tlie
Iroquois and Delawares, and the nations connected with
tliem, do not declare wai: by a formal melTage ; but rather
fend out a fmall party, feize the firft man they meet, belong*
ing to the nation they intend to engage, kill and fcalp him %
then cleave his head with an hatchet, which they leave in it,
or lay a war-club, painted red, upon the body of the vidira.
This Is a formal challenge ; in confequence of which, a Cap^
tain of the infulted party takes up thd weapons of the mur-*
derers, and haftens into their country to be revenged upott
them : if he-returns with a fcalp, he thinks he has avenged
ihe rights of his own nation.
The preparations for war are foon made : they do not
carry much baggage ; a bundle of citamon, as defcribed above,
confiding of pounded Indian corn and maple fugar, is all the
provifion they want. Befides this, the Captains and others
procure a befouj to preferve themfelves from llabs and fliots.
In the year 1774, the Shawanofe carried their v/ar-befon
upon a pole, among the ranks, in the battle they fought with
the white people : but the befon-bearer himfelf was fhot,
the whole Indian army routed, and the befon became a prey
to the conquerors.
One of tke^nioll neceflary preparations for war, is to paint
themfelves remand black •, for the nioft horrid appearance 13
then thought the greatefl ornament. Some Captains faft.
Part I. h ^ml ■
1^6 Indian Planner cf making War. ^ 'P\l,
and attend to their dreams, with a view to gain intelligence
of the event of the war. The night previous to the march of
the army is fpent in feafling, at which the Chiefs are pre-
fent i either a hog, or a couple of dogs are killed. Dog's
flefhj in particular, is faid to infpire them with the true fpirit
of war: even women have been feen to partake of this feaft,
and to eat dog's fiefh with great greedinefs. Nov/ and then
a warrior is inclined to make a folemn declaration of his war-
like inclination : he holds up a piece of dog's flefh in fight of
all prefent, and devours it, pronouncing thefe words : " Thus
" will I devour my enemies !" After the feaft, the Captain and
all his people begin the ivar'dance, and continue till day-break^
when they are quite hoarfe and weary. They generally dance
all together, and each in his turn takes the head of the hog in his
hand. Spedators are admitted, and may even join in the
dance. Then the Captain marcl^s through the town, all his
people following in a fingle row. When they reach the end
of the flreet, they fire their pieces, and the Captain begins
the war-fong. As both their friends and the women ge-
nerally accompany them to the firft night's encampment,
they halt about two or three miles from the town, dance the
war-dance once more, and the day following begin their
march.
They have commonly a long and tedious march into the
enemies land, and their provifions are foon exhaufted. They
are therefore obliged to fpend fome days in hunting. The
camp is formed without any regularity, and they pitch their
tents, as each finds mofl convenient. As long as they are
in a country where they fear no attack, they take no precau-
tion. They difperfe in the woods to hunt ; but return to the
place of rendezvous exadlly to the time appointed. No one
has any precedence during the march, not even the Captain.
They divide their provifions in equal fhares, even if each
man fliould get only one morfel of bread or meat.
Sometimes they fet out in fmall parties of ten or twenty
in company, that they may not fuffer fo much for want of
provifions. The Captain is very attentive to every man in
his
Ch. XI. Indian Manner of making War. 14^
his troop, being anfwerable foi" all. If but a few are weary,
he orders all to halt, till they have recovered. The chief ex-
cellence of a Captain confifts in knowing how to form an
attack, fo as to kill or take many enemies, and lofe none^
or but a few of his own men.
Thelndian warriors poflefs adonifhing perfeverance and pa*
tience, encounter incredible dangers, and live upon the raoft
fcanty fare. For as foon as they enter the enemies country,
they can hunt no longer, for fear of being betrayed, and though
they have alwaysprovifionsforfome days, yet being frequently
under the neceflity of hiding themfelves for feven 1 weeks in
the woods, before they can venture to attack the enemy,
they fufFer incredibly from hunger and other inconveniences.
Before they make an attack, their chief concern is to re-
connoitre every part of the country. With this view they
dig holes in the ground, preferably in a hillock, covered vvitli
wood, in which they keep a fmall charcoal fire : from which
they watch the motions of the enemy, unobferved. If they
onlyfeek a prifoner or a fcalp, they venture even in the day-
time to put their defign in execution. They Ikulk behind fome
bulky tree, and creep llyly around the ftem, fo as not to be
perceived by a paflenger. As foon as hd*has turned his back j
they kill him either with one fhot, or leaping upon him, cut
him down with their hatchets. In either cafe they feldom mifs
their aim. They then retire precipitately, thinking them-
felves well rewarded, even with one fcalp only, for all
trouble, diftrefs, and danger fufhained on the march.
But in cafe of an attack ""upon a whole family, or town,
they prefer the night, when their enemies are in profound
fleep. - During the day they behave with the greateft cau-
tion, not even whifpering to each other, but explaining their
meaning only by figns and looks, creeping about upon all
fours to gain intelligence. When the night fixed for the
attack fets in, they all lie flat upon the ground in perfecH;
filence, waiting the firft fign given by the Captain, upon
which they creep along till within gunflipt of their enemy.
Upon a fecond fign given, they leap up all together> difcharge
L 2, their
148 Indian Manner of malhtg JVaf, P\\,
their pieces, and then fall upon their enemies v/ldi hatchets
and clubs. They kill, fcalp, and take prifoners as many as
they can find ; fet fire to the houfes, and never flay fcrr
plunder. Haviug thus obtained their aim, they fly back with
the utmoft fpeed into the woods, to which they have already
marked the nearefl road, and take no reft till they think
themfelves in fafety. To avoid being purfued,. tliey dif-
guife their foot-marks as much as polTible, as they would be
eafily traced by Indians. But if, in fpite of all their caution,
they are clofely purfued, they kill the prifoners, fcalp them,
and difperfe in the woods, in order fingly to efcape into theit
own country with more eafe. They generally fufFer ex-
ceffive hunger and fatigue by the way, living upon the bark
of trees, wild herbs and roots.
Even in open war, they think it more honorable to diftrefs
the enemy by ftratagem than by combat. They examine
their fituation, and if they find that a furprifs or attack
would expofe them to danger, they retire. But if they feem
fecure, they lurk behind trees, houfes, or rocks, fire upon
the unwary foe, and hide themfelves again. The Europeans,
unacquainted with tliis mode of fighting, fufFercd greatly hf
ti'in former times.
The cruelty of vidorious Indians is without bounds: when
they have quenched their thirft for blood, they return into
their native country. The wounded are treated with great
tendernefs, and the means applied feldom fail in reftoring
them. Thofe who are dangeroufly wounded, are carried by
the reft, and none left to perifh^v/ithout the greateft neceflity.
They even carry off their dead, or at leaft their fcalps, left they
Ihould fall into the hands of their enemies: which makes it
hard to determine how many have been killed in action.
All the flain of the enemies are, if ^off\hle,Jhi/j}ed. The
Indians perform this operation in the following manner:
They place their foot on the neck of the viclim, feizing the
hair with the left hand, and twiitliig it very tight together,
in order to feparate the Ikin from the head. Then they cut
it all round syith a fnarp knife, and tear it cfF. This opeva;-
4 tioa
Ch. XI. Indian Mafimr of maVttig War, 149
tion is often performed in a minute, and under certain cir-
cumflances is fatal, but not always. The fcalp is painted
r^d, placed upon a red pok in token of vi£lory, to the
great fatisfa£iion of the whole nation, and carefully pre-
ferved in memory of their courage and prowefs, in avenging
the caufe of their country.
They like to carry off their prifoners alive, but bound,
till they are no more in fear of their purfuers. In the night
they are faftened to the ground, with their arms, legs, and
necks bound to large flakes, and for greater fecurity, a cord
pafTes from them to a free Indian, v/ho immediately awakes if
they attempt to move. Yet, notwithflanding thefe precautions,
they fometimes efcape. The European prifoners are immedi-
ately fhorn after the manner of the Indians, and their heads and
faces painted red, fo as hardly to be diftinguifhed from the
Indians themfelves. If any difpute arifes between two warriors
about a prifoner, he is immediately killed, to put an end to it.
Prifoners are not ill treated, as long as they are in the
hands of the warriors, but fare with them alike. But they
have fo much the more to fufFer in the towns of the vic-
torious people. The warriors, upon their approach to the
firfl town in their own country, repeat the death-whoop, ac-
cording to the number of fcalps, trophies, or prifoners in
their poflefllon. Upon this fignal, men, women, and chil-
dren, run out to meet them, placing themfelves in two rows.
The warriors flep forward into the midfl, with the fcalp-
poles and prifoners, and force the latter to dance for the
amufement of the fpe£tators. An houfe or poft is then
fliown them in the village, to which they are ordered to go.
As foon as they fet out, the people begin to ftrike at them
with fwitches, clubs, hatchets, or their fills. If they gaiii
the houfe or poft, though ever fo bruifed and bloody, they
are perfe£lly fafe. Indians acquainted with this barbarous
cuftom, efcape great part of thefe cruelties, by running towards
the mark with all their might. Female prifoners are frequently
rcfcued by the women, who take them between their rank^
and carry them to the town.
i^d ■ Indian Manitef of making W^ar, p. I,
The warriors then take good care of their prifoners, wafh
and drefs their wounds, and when their meals are ready,
ferve the prifoners firft, not from compaflion, but that they
may look well, and do honor to the triumph they celebrate
in pafling through all the to\yns of their nation, till they ar-»
rive at their own home.
Before the warriors proceed, the prifpners are led out for
the amufement of the inhabitants. They faflen firings of
bells, or dcers-clavt-'s, to the feet of one of them, to makq
a rattle during the dance, prefenting him with a parcel of
fmall fticks. He takes as many as he pleafes, and returns
the reft. Thefe determine the number of fhort dances he has
to perform; which he does with great alacrity, to the rattling
of a calabafh filled Vv^ith fmall ftones, and marking the timei
After each rounds he relates one of his heroic deeds, and de-
livers a ftick. Thus he continues to dance and tell his
ftories, till all his fticks are fpent. Though the fpeclators
{hould not underftand his language, yet they guefs his mean-
ing by his looks and geftures. Sometimes the prifoners
are compelled to fmg the death-fong, which is as follows ;
*' I go to death, and ftiall fufFer great torture j but I will
" endure the greatcft torments inilided by my enemies with
*' becoming courage. I will die like a valiant man, and go,
" to thofe heroes, who have died in the fame manner."
This ceremony is performed in every town, through which they
muft pafs. When they at length arrive at the refidcnce of the
conqueror, many of the prifoners are received into the families,
to fupply the places of the flain, or of relations lately de-
ceafed, and are immediately confidered as members of the
nation^ Without this cuftom, many Indian tribes woul4
have been exterminated long ago. But their true chara£ler
fufters a vifible change by the naturalization of foreigners.
The new inhabitant meets with the beft treatment, his
wounds are drefled, and he is well cloathed. The beft
food in the houfe is given him, and all the family is en-
gaged in comforting and encouraging him. Female prifoners
are generally^ given to men, and well treated : boys and girls
I
Ch. XI. Indian Manner of tnalwg War, i^j
are either received into families, as fervants, or fold to the
Europeans. If prifoners, thus admitted into families, be-
have well, they have every thing they want, nor are they put
to much labor, which in general is little regarded by an
Indian. But if they run away, and are taken, their lives are
in danger. Even the nation to whom the runaways belong,
will not always receive them, but treat them as ungrateful
beings ; they therefore turn out vagrants, and infeft the
woods. Indian names are given to European prifoners, upon
their reception into Indian families, to perpetuate the memory
of the raoft beloved among the flain or deceafcd. Many of
them find the manner of living among the Indians fo well
fuited to their inclinations, that upon an exchange of pri-
foners being made, they refufe to return to their own country.
But fhould the pardoned ftranger lofe the good-will of the
widow of the deceafcd, (he foon puts him to death, that he
may become fervant to her firll hufband in the land of
fpirits.
Thofe unhappy prifoners who are condemned to die, may
fooner or later expe6l to fufFer the mod excruciating tor-
tures, and a lingering death. The Indians flock to thcfe
executions from all parts, as to fome great folemnity, with
a view to gratify their cruel and revengeful difpofition. The
poor viftim is fallened naked to a flake, placed at fome
<ii{lance from a large fire. His body is fometimes painted
black, and his head ornamented with raven feathers. One
plucks his nails out by tLs roots, another bites one of his
fingers off, thruiling it into his tobacco-pipe, which he
offers to the fufferer to fmoke. Others crufli his fingers and
toes between flones, or fcorch his fkia with red-hot irons,
or torches. Some with their knives cut pieces from his body,
rubbing fait into the raw flefli. Then they denO, with z
view to prolong his tortures, v/hich fometimes continue three
or four days. Sometimes they compel him to dance round
the ftake, mangled and burnt is he is, tied by a fliort rope.
Should he happen to cry or (how any fign of pain, he is de-
rided and defpifed by his tormentors; but if he remains un-
L 4 concernedj
j^^ Indian Manner of tnahing Wa-/. P. t,
concerngdj his bravery is extolled. At length, being render-*
ed infenfible by excefs of pain, an end is put to his torments
by a ftroke of the tomahawk, and the mangled body is
thrown into the fire.
This inhuman method of treating captives is particularly
in ufe among the Iroquois and Shawanofe ; and they have
but lately given feveral horrid proofs of their cruel difpo-
fition. Indian warriors commonly bear the mod dreadful
torments, without any marks of concern, and die with un-
dauntednefs, finging the great deeds done by them againft
their enemies with provoking defiance. Some even en-?
deavour flill more to enrage their tormentors by thefe bra-
vadoes, that they may the fooner difpatch them.
Now and then a condemned prifoner is releafed by ran-
fom. Some years ago, a young Shawanofe Indian was taken
lay the Cherokees, and condemned to die. He was already
tied to the flake, and every preparation made for his execur
tion, when a Cherokee woman arrived with a parcel of
, goods, and throwing them down at the feet of the warrior
to whom the prifoner belonged, begged f©r his releafe, al-
leging that flie was a widow, and would adopt the captive
^s her fon. Her requeft was granted, the captive releafed.
and delivered over to her, and on the fame day walked up
and down the village well drefled. His protectrefs relied
fo much upon his fidelity and devotednefs to her, that (he per-
mitted him to vifit his family and friends in his own country.
He proved faithful, and no perfuafions and entreaties of his
relations could prevail upon him to forfake her. But there
are inftances of their refufing the m.oft confiderable ranfoms
offered to releafe a condemned captive from their fury. In
the year 1770, fome Englifh merchants oflFered goods to the
amount of feveral hundred dollars, as a ranfom for a v/hitc
captive, vi^ithout any effedt*
It has been frequently faid that the faVages devour their
prifoners. It may indeed have been a cuftom now and then
with fome ; and fome converted Indians have of their own
;^ccpr4 cpnf^fTed to our mifTionariesj that they ha4 done it 5
■ bu£
Cli. XI. Indian Jlfjnnei' of mallr.g War^ 1^3
but it is not general. The Delawares and Iroquois never
do it. Formerly they have been known in the height of
their fury to tear an enemy's heart out of his body, an4
devour it raw; but at.prefent this is feldom or never
praaifed.
When one Indian nation wlfhes to perfuade another to
join in a war againll an Indian or Jluropean enemy, they feiid
a captive to that nation, with thefe werds, " We fend you
" this prifoner, to make fome broth," and frequently gain
their aim. The prifoner is not devoured, but executed with-
©ut mercy.
Since the Delawares and Iroquois have ventured to make
war with the Europeans, their wars among each other have
been lefs frequent. With the white people they gain greater
advantages, take more prifoners, and more fcalps, and can
fooner make peace with them, than with the Indians.
At prefent almofl all Indian nations join in a war againft
the vi'hite people.
Even if a nation {hould remain neutral, fome of the com-
mon people will not reft fatisfied, but join the war-
riors. This was the cafe in the war between England and
her colonies. The Delaware Chiefs had ni the beginnincr
refolved to be neutral, and exhorted their people daily, not
to fuffer themfelves to be perfuaded to take fharc in the war.
The nation in general remained firm in this refolution, and
neither entreaties nor threats could prevail upon the Chiefs to
depart from it. Yet feveral Delaware Indians went to join
the army.
The Indians need not much provocation to begin a war
with the white people; a trifling occurrence may eafily furnifl\
a pretence. They frequently firll determine upon war, and
chen wait a convenient opportunity, to find reafons for it ;
nor are they much at a lofs to find them.
It has occafioned much furprife, that notwithflanding the
prevailing fear of the Six Nations, lefi: the Europeans fliould
become too powerful, they have fold them one tradl of land
■^i%QX the other. Some thought it was done, merely for the
• faks
-J j4 Indian Manner of mahing War, J*. I.
fake of the prefcnts offered by the purchafers. But experience
has ihown, that this felling of land proved the beft pretence
for a war. For when the white people had fettled upon the
purchafed territory, they drove them away again. They have
frequently continued their hoftiiitiesagainft the white people,
even during the fettling of the peace, or renewed them foon
after. In fuch a critical jun£lure, the Europeans cannot fuffici-
ently guard againft trie Indians, efpecially againft the Iroquois.
They will treat a white perfon, who is ignorant of their evil
defigns, with all apparent civility, and give him viduals and
drink, but before he is aware, cleave his IkuU with an hatchet.
Some years before the war broke out between England and
her colonies, the Shawanofe began to be very troublefome,
©nd fome white people were obliged to fly the country. One
cf them feparatinghimfelf from his companions, got amongfl:
G party of Iroquois, in fight of a Delaware town, who gave
him victuals, and then murdered him. The charader of
the Delawares is not fo treacherous. If they once fhake
hands with a white man, and fpeak friendly to him j he may
judge himfelf fafe, and truft their fidelity.
In times of war, the Indians generally fall firft upon fome
defencelefs farmers, and thus fpread terror and dread over
the whole neighborhood, the inhabitants of which, imme-
diately forfaking their houfes and plantations, cattle and fur-
niture, fly for their lives. They make no didinclion be-
tween the different European nations, but exert their cruelty
upon all, without refpeft to innocence, age, or fex. In a
war with Europeans, every human being with a white fkin
is confidered an enemy. A meffenger of peace mufl not
cxpea to be treated according to the rights of nations, by
which his perfon is rendered facred. They feldom pardon
a white man, if he even lays down his arms, and fubmits
himfelf a prifoner. Once they ftormed a fmall fort, and
took between forty and fifty Europeans, men, women, and
children, without lofing a man. This eafy vidory ought to
have infpired them with lenity, but they murdered the
greatefl part of them in cool blood, dafliing even the children
tQ
Ch. XI. Indian Manner of making Peace. > 155
to pieces agalnft the trees. The Iroquois have more es-
pecially been guilty of thefe barbarities.
They never make peace till compelled by neceflity. But
as foon as terms of peace are propofed, the Captains lay
down their office, and deliver the government of the flate;
into the hands of the Chiefs. A Captain has no more right
to conclude a peace, than a Chief to begin war. If peace
is offered to a Captain, he can give no other anfwer thaa
that he will mention the propofal to the Chief ; for, as a
warrior, he cannot make peace. If the Chief inclines to
peace, he exerts his power again, takes the hatchet out of the
hands of the Captain, and defires him to fit down; that is,
^o make a truce. The latter is then obliged to ceafe from
jail hoftilities, and to keep his men quiet. But the Chief,
knowing that this ftate of inaiSlivity is not agreeable to the
Captain, generally chufeshlm to be the deputy at the enfuing
treaty. This is moft willingly accepted, for the Captain
acquires by this commiffion an acceffion of honor and
yefpeft.
An embaflY of peace, as In general every other embaffy, is
never committed to one man only. Two or more are al-
ways nominated. Sometimes fifteen or twenty perfons are
chofen ambafladors, according to the ftrength of the nation
in treaty with the other. But one of them is appointed
head of the embafly, and it is he that fettles the prelimi-
naries, makes fpeeches, and delivers the firings and belts of
wampom. His companions attend in filence, and now and
then remind him in cafe he fliould forget any part of his
commiffion.
Such an ambaffiador muft not only be an intelligent man,
yniverfally refpeded, but he ought to poffefs great ftrength
of body to endure the fatigue conneiSled with his employ.
When he receives his commiffion in council affembled, every
article to be explained to the other party is di6lated to him
more than once, and he is called upon to repeat it over
and over again, till he can pronounce it without hefitation.
Whei^
15^ Indlcin Alaiiftet' of tnaJcifig Peacel P, I,
When a fpeecly peace is required, the- ambafTadors mull
travel day and night, which they eafily do, with refpe£l tq
the road, as they are able, even in a dark night, to diftinguifh
the nioft obfcure path tlirough the woods, hardly difcernibk
by an European eye.
Such an embafly carries the pipe of peace before them,
anfwering to our white flags of truce, and the refpe£l fhown
to it is fuch, that an infult offered to the bearer is accounted
a crime of the moft heinous kind, which the Great Spirit
will furely revenge. This pipe is ufed only in making peace,
or fettling alliances. The French call it calumety and it has
commonly a large head of red marble, three inches deep, and
lix or eight inches wide. But the red color l>eing the colov
cf war^ it is daubed over with white clay, or chalk. The
pipe is made of hayd black wood, four foot long, and wound
round with a fine ribband, neatly decorated with white corals
by the women, who endeavour to difplay their art to the
Jjefl advantage. SometuTies ornaments are added, made of
porcupine quills, with green, yellow, and white feathers.
The ambaifadors begin their fongs and dances, upon their
approach to the town of the oppofite party, and are then in-
vited to tlie dwelling of the head-Chief, where they live very
conveniently, as long as the negotiations laft.
The meeting is opened by the head-Chief or Prefident,
who fmokes for a fhort time out of the pipe of peace, after
it has been devoutly turned towards the heavens and the earth.
This ceremony is of fuch importance, that no European
governor or ambaflador can make peace v/ith the Indiana
without it.
Afterwards the pipe is handed about among all the am-
baffadors arid members of the council, when each of them
takes it up very cautioufly, and fmokes for a fhort time. .
This ceremony being performed, the firfl man of the em-
feaiTy or fpeaker opens his commiffion, commonly in the true
pompous Indian ftyle. He docs not appear inclined to make
iiny fubmilTionj though his nation is perjii^ps driven to th«
brinl^
Cli. Xr. Indian Manner of mahng Peact. 157
brink of ruin. All lib oratory is difphyed to convince the
oppofite party that it is their intereft, not only to make a
truce, but to eflablifli a lafting peace. The fpeaker ought
to be well acquainted with every thing relating both to tlie
ftate of his own people, and to that of the other nations ;
and to be able to give every one the title due to him. Hi
begins by delivering a ftring or belt of wampom, and his
firft: addrefs is commonly as follows : " Brother (Grandfon,
'* Father, &c.) I bring this ftring of wampom, to clear your
" eyes, that they may fee keenly 5 to clear your ears, that
*' they may hear well j and with it I fmooth your throaty
" that my words may fiide down eafily^ for I do not coma
*' in vain, 5;c." He then propounds the main fubjecls of
his difcourfe, in fliort fentences, confirming each of them
by a ftring or belt of wampom. Having fulfilled every part
of his commiffion, he adds, " Now I have done."
If the ftrings and belts are handed about in the afiembly,
and confidered attentively ; it is a proof that the meflage is
well received. The anfwer is then given with the fame fo-
iemnity. The ambaffadors having withdrawn, the m-elTage
is duly confidered, each ftring or belt r^^^iev/ed, the anfwer
agreed upon, and the ftrings and belts neceflary for its con-
firmation placed in order. Then the ambaffadors are agaiu
called, and the prefident, or any other fpeaker appointed by
the council, holding a ftring of wampom in his hand, ad-
drefies them in the following manner : " Brother (Coufins
*^ or Grandfather), this ftring of wampom bids you welcome.
*' I will extra£l' the thorns out of your feet, which you have
** got on the journey; I will clcanfe your feet from all duft
*' gathered" by the v/ay ; and I will remove the wearinef?
" occafioned by the journey, that your knees mayTecovcr
** their firmnefs and ftrength, &c." Then follows the reit
©f the anfwer, exprefled in (hort fentences, and confirmed
by ftrings and belts, delivered to the head of the embafiy-
The treaty being clofed to tiie fatisfaflion of both parties,
a hatchet painted red, or a war-club^» 13 buried in the gi-ound;,
ia
I
15 8 Indian Manner of making Peac/. P. f;
in token of a cefiatlon of all hoftiHties on each fidc»
They make ufe of the following expreflion to fignify the
{lability of the peace thus concluded : " Upon this
*' hatchet we- will plant a tree, which (hall grow up
" and reach unto heaven, &c." All the ftrings and belts
exchanged on the occafion are carefully preferved by each
party.
■ But if the meflage is not well received, the pre fi dent will
not accept the tokens of confirmation, and though the am-
bafladors lay them down upon the ground before him, he
pufhes them away with his ftick, and no one dare touch
them, but the perfon who brought them, which is confidered
as a great reproach to him. The fame mode of refufal is
obferved In cafe a nation is called to join in a war, or to do
any thing dlfagreeable to them.
When the ambafiadors return home with the refufal, the
Delawares throw the belt or ftring of wampom thus reje£led,
hito the council-houfc ; and there it lies till fome old woman
takes it away.
If two Indian nations enter Into a treaty of alliance, a pipe
of peace is exchanged between them, which is then called
the pipe of covenant. It is carefully preferved, and ge-
nerally lighted in council whenever any thing occurs re-*
iating to the ally, and each member fmokes a little out of It*
This reminds tlnem in the moft expreffive manner of the co-
venant, and the time of its ellabhfliment. When the co-
venant is renewed, the principal ceremony Is an exchange
of the belts of friendlhip, which are often from twenty
to thirty in number. The principal belt Is white, with two
black ftreaks down the fides, and a black Ipot on each end.
By thefe the two nations are denoted, and the white ftreak
in the middle fignifies, that the road between them Is
cleared of all trees, brambles, and ftones, and that every
hindrance is removed, to make way for perfeft harmonJ^
Thefe ceremonies are always attended with dancing,
and as every belt is accompanied by a fpeech, they often
continue
Ch, XI. Indian Manner ofmaling Peace. i^g
continue many days. At the concluding fpeech, the Indians
generally make ufe of this expreffion, that their friendfhip
fliall lafl. as long as the fun and moon give light, rife and fetj
as long as the ftars fhine in the firmament, ^nd the rivers
^w with water.
END OF PART I,
HISTORY
OF THE
MISSION
OF THE
UNITED BRETHREN
AMONG THE
Indians in North America,
PART 11.
CHAPTER I.
Ejiablijhment of a Mijfion among the hidians in
North America by the Brethren.
TO preach the Gofpel to the Heathen, efpecially to
the nations defcribed in the preceding Part of this
work, with an intent that the fruits thereof fhould remain,
was an attempt attended with no fmall difficulty. Yet as
early as the year 1727, which was foon after the reftora-
tion of the Unity of the Brethren, they began to take the con-
verfion of the Hejthen in general into the moft earnefl con-
fideration, believing themfelves called by God to preach the
Gofpel of Jefus Chrifl to heathen nations, and- efpecially to
fuch, who till then had been left totally ignorant, and whofe
inftru£lion was not attended to by any other denomination.
After much ferious deliberation, the firfl miffionaries from
«he Church of the Brethren were fent in the year 1732 to
Part II. B ' St.
% EJabiyijinent of the Mijfion. P. I|.
St. Thomas, an Ifland in the Weft Indies, under Danllh go-
vernment. Others went in the year following to Greenland,
and their labors were crowned by God with fuccefs, as may
be fcen at large in the hiftory of thefe mifTions.
Not long after, the Brethren had an opportunity of intro-
ducing the Gofpel to the Indians in North America. For
when the Ele£lor of Saxony expelled the followers of
Schwenkfeld from his dominions, fuch of them as refided
ever fince the year 1725 in Bei'thclsdorf (a large village in
Upper Lufatia, belonging to Count Nicolas liCwis von Zin-
zendorf and Pottendorf ), refolved to go to Georgia in North
America, and the Count endeavored to procure a free paflage
and kind reception for them, from the truftees of the colo-
nies in Georgia rcfidiiig in London. They therefore left
Upper Lufatia in 1734, but upon their arrival in Holland,
changed their minds, and went to Pennfylvania. However,
the truftees of Georgia, not willing to break off their engage-
ments with Count Zinzendorf, offered to grant him a trafl
of land in Georgia, to be cultivated by the Brethren. Their
offer was accepted, the Brethren hoping by thefe means to
become acquainted with the Creeks, Chikafaw, and Chero-
kee Indians, and fome Brethren refolved to go tliither for thk
purpofe. The firft company fet out from Herrnhut in No-
vember 1734, conducted by the Brethren John Toeltfchig
and Anthony Seyffart, attended with the beft wifhes and
prayers of the whole congregation.
Count Zinzendorf gave them written inftru£lions, in
which he particularly recommended, that they fhould fub-
mit themfelves to the Mdfe dire£lion and guidance of God
in all circumftances, feek to prefervc liberty of confcience,
avoid all religious difputes, and always keep in view that
call, given unto them by God himfelf, to preach the Gofpel
of Jefus Chrift to the Heathen; and further, that they (hould
endeavor as much as poffible to earn their own bread. A
promife was likewife given that, as foon as they had fettled
in Georgia, an ordained minift-cr fliould follow them.
Tliev
Ch. r. Efahlipmunt of the Mijfwrt. 3
They met in London with the Rev. Auguftus Gottlieb
Spangenberg, late Theologus Adjunclus of the Univerfity
of Hall in Saxony, who had been difmifTed from that place
on account of feme mifunderftandings between him and
other divines of that univerfity, almoft in the fame manner
as Counfellor Wolf had been difmifled feme time before.
Upon ihis Mr. Spangenberg went to Herrnhut, and not
only became a member of the congregation of the Bre-
thren, but affifted in the miniftry. He was then commiflioned
to treat in London with the truftees of Georgia and General
Oglethorpe, then governor of that province, concerning the
voyage of thefe Brethren and their fettlement in that country.
The worthy General procured the money necefTary for their
equipment and other expences, and the truftees granted them
houfes in the town of Savannah, with a piece of ground^ till
they could clear and cultivate a diftri£l given them on the
river Ogeeche, and form a fettlement upon it. Mr. Spangen-
berg accompanied them thither, and this firft colony arrived
in Georgia in the fpring of 1735 ; their number was after-
wards increafed by a larger company that followed in
fummer, condu£led by David Nitfchman. Thefe Brethrei*
fettled in the town of Savannah, and God blelTed their in-
duftry in fuch a manner, that, in a fhort time, they not
only procured a fufficient maintenance for themfelves, but
even repaid the money advanced for them in London, and
were alfo enabled to ferve their poor neighbors. With the
truftees in Georgia, they bore the character of peaceful,
quiet, and pious people, not feeking outward advantages,
but merely the falvation of the Heathen. It appeared fo
evidently advantageous to the State in general, that the In-
dians, who were the aborigines of the country, ftiould be
brought to the knowledge of the Gofpel of Jefus Chrift,
that government was very willing to encourage and promote
this humane undertaking. The firft attempt made by the Bre-
thren was the eftabliftiment of a fchool-houfe for Indian chil-
dren of the Creek nation living in their neighborhood, about
live miles above the town, on an illand of the river Savannah,
B 2 called
4 FjhirjJmient of the Iinjron. P. II.
called Irene.; Many Indians living here in one place, this gave
the Brethren an opportunity to preach the glad tidings 5 that
unto them alfo was born a Savior, who had redeemed them,
and purchafed for them freedom from Gn, and eterrial falva-
tion. Moft of thefe Indians underflood fome Englifh, heard
the Brethren gladly, and frequently brought their-Chief, or
king, Tomo Tfchatfchi, to hear, as they expreiTed it, the
great word. They alfo made frequent vifits to the Brethren
at Savannah; and from the accounts of this colony, tranfmit-
ted by Mr. Spangenberg in the year 1736, it appears, that
the Indians in general were well inclined towards the Bre-
thren, and knew very well how to dilanguifli between them
and other white people, who came either merely in purfuit
of gain, or led a difiblute life.
Thus this fmall colony began to profper, and appearances,
both as to externals and the converiion of the heathen, were
favorable. Brother Peter Rofe and his v/ife, Anthony SeyfFart,
Biener, and other Brethren, lived in the fchool-houfe, and
being thus among the Indians, with whom they continually
converfed, they fucceeded in their attempts to learn the
language. They found an able afliftant in the Rev. Benja-
min Ingham, an Englifli clergyman, who came to America
with the fecond colony, and having conceived a great regard
for the Brethren during the voyage, proved very ferviceable
in regulating and promoting the aim of the fchool.
In 1737 the Rev. Peter Boehler, of the univerfity of Jena,
was chofen and ordained mlnifter of the colony in Georgia,
and arrived there the year following. Brother John Toeltfchig
returned to Europe in company of Mr. Ingham. Mr. Span-
genberg having fulfilled his appointment in eilabiifhlng the
miffion in Georgia, went to Pennfylvania, and from thence
to St. Thomas to hold a vifitatlon in that miffion. He then
returned, and remained in Pennfylvania till 1739. Through
him the' Brethren were made attentive to other Indian nations,
cfpecially the Iroquois, or Six Nations. Mr. Spangenberg
received the firft account of them from Conrad Welfier, a
juftice of the peace, and interpreter to the government In
Penn-
Ch. I. Ejlahrtjlmicnt of the Mifion. 5
Pennfylvaiiia. The governor and proprietor of Pennfylvania
had fent this man, in the winter of 1736, to treat with the
Iroquois concerning a war ready to break out between them
and the Indians of Virginia, and to endeavor to fettle the
difpute amicably. On tliis journey of near five hundred
miles he fuflered great hardfnips. The weather was uncom-
monly fevere, and he had to force his way, moftly on foot,
tln-ough deep fnow, thick forcfts, brooks, and rivers, carry-
ing provilions for feveral weeks on his back. He happened
to meet with two Indians on the road, who, feeing that he
was alraoft broken down by hardihips, bid him take courage,
adding, that what a man fuflered in his body, cleanfed his
foul from nn. Thefc words made an impreffion upon him :
he prayed to God for ftrengtli, and was fupported.
The Rev. Mr. Spangenberg, to whom he related this,
mentioned it in a letter to Herrnhut, and the Brethren im-
mediately became defirous of finding an opportunity to in-
ftrucfc thefe blind, yet thinking heathen, in the only true
way, by which man may be cleanfed from nn.
Meanwhile the profperity of the colony of the Brethren in
Georgia received an unexpedfed check ; for the neighboring
Spaniards endeavoring to expel the Englilh from Georgia,
the latter called alio upon the Brethren to join in taking
up arms againfl: them. This they refufed, having de-
clared, when in London, that they neither could nor would
bear arms on any confideration. They repeated their de-
claration to the trufiees in London in a proper manner, and
received an exemption from any perfonal interference with
the war. But the people being diflatisfied with them on this
account, fome of the Brethren, having repaid all the money
advanced to them, left their flourifhing plantations in 1738,
and retired into Pennfylvania. Thofe that remained enjoy-
ed peace for fome time ; but the war breaking out again,
another application w\as made to them in 1739 to take up
arms, and not willing to repeat their complaints, all of them,
with their Miniiler, Peter Eoehler, left the country, and in
1740 joined their brethren in Pennfylvania. Thus the milhon
B 3 among
6 Ef:ahliJI:im€nt of the Mifflott. ?. IL
among tlie Indiani in Georgia, after fo promifing a beginning
was at once fufpended.
The Brethren, however, wifting, if poflible, to prefervc
the fmall influence they had gained amongft the heathen, foon
after accepted of an offer made to them by the Rev. Mr.
Whitefield, to a.Tift him in his eftabhfhment in Georgia ; and
Brother John Hagen was fent thither in 1740. Their view
was, that he fhould not only renew and cultivate the acquaint-
ance made with the Creek Indians, but endeavor in time to
go to the Cherokees, learn their language, and preach the
Gofpel to them.
Hagen, to whom this commifTion was very important,
employed all his leifure time with great faithfulnefs in endea-
voring to accomplifh this end. He firft went to vifit the
Creek Indians, with whom the Brethren h>d lived, but found
only the women at home. The men were all gone with Gene-
ral Oglethorpe to fight againft the Spaniards, and their chief,
Tomo Tfchatfchi, was dead. Thus, for the prefent, all
profpeft of fuccefs was at an end. He therefore direcSled
his attention more particularly to the Cherokees, but had
then no opportunity of feeing or converfmg with any of them
at Savannah, their country being between three or four hun-
dred miles diftant; nor could he go thither without forfaking
the fervice of Mr. Whitefield, and afting contrary to his
inflru£l:ions, Befides this, an account was received that the
fmall»-pox had raged among the Cherokees, and, in a Ihort time,
deftroyed a great part of that nation. The furvivors were
very much dejedted, believing this calamity to be a punifh-
ment for having fufFered themfelves to be feduced by the
white people to drink brandy, and on that account they now
abhorred all Europeans. Under thefe circumftances Brother
Hagen would have been neither welcome, nor able to efFeft
any thing amongfl them. However, of the 160 Cherokees
who had gone to war againft the Spaniards, many were
brought to Savannah in a dying flate : Thefe he vi-
fited, preached the Gofpel to all who underftood Englifli,
and even erjdeavored to levirn their own language for that
purpofe \
Cli. I. EJlahlifljment of the Mi[fioii. 7
purpofe ; but finding their hearts and ears fliut againfl: him,
and tliat no fruits were to be expelled, he was obliged to
dcfift, and returned ibme time after to Fennfylvania. At the
fame time the Europeans were much terrified by a report
that the Indians were determined to take away the life of one
JLuropean for every Indian who had died of the fmall-pox,
and to clear the country of all white people. They had even
made a beginning to put their murderous intentions into ex-
ecution, and acSlually attacked one plantation.
Mr. Spangenberg had meanwhile vifited Germany in 1739,
where the written account he gave to the Brethren at lierrn-
Kut, of the deplorable Hate of the poor favages in North Ameri-
ca, made fuch an Impreffion upon them, that feveral fingle Bre-
thren refolved to venture their lives in endeavoring to make
thefe lieathen acquainted with their Creator and Redeemer.
Twelve were nominated as candidates for this million, and
one of them, Chriltian Henry Rauch, was fent, in 1739, from
I*>larienborn to New York, to feek an opportunity to go and
preach the Gofpel to the Indians.
No extenfive plan was aimed at j but the inftruftions given
to fuch miflionaries by Count Zinzendorf, then warden of the
congregations of the Brethren, were nearly to this effe£l :
" That they fhould filently obferve, whether any of the hea-
" then had been prepared by the grace of God to receive, and
** believe, the word of life. If even only one were to be
" found, then they fli.ould preach the Gofpel to h'wty for God
" muft give the heathen ears to hear the Gofpel, and hearts to
" receive it, otherwife all their labor upon them would be in
" vain. He alfo recommended to them to preach chiefly to fuch
" heathen, who had never heard the Gofpel ; adding, that we
*' were not called to build upon foundations laid by others, nor
" to diflurb their work, but to feek the outcalt and forfaken."
Brother Rauch arrived at New York,] uly 16, 1740. He knew
nothing of the people to whom h-e ihould declare the Gofpel,
nor did he know where, and in what manner, he fhould feek
sfter them ; but he was allured of his call, and placed a full
confidence in God, that He would allifl: him, and lead him to
Y) 4 tliofe
8- EJlahiyinunt of the M'ljfion. P. II.
thofe heathen to whom he was fent. Having no acquaint-
ance in New York, and not knowing to whom to addrefs him-
felf on his arrival, it afforded him great pleafure, unexpeft-
etily to meet with the miiTionary Frederic Martin, from St.
Thomas, by whom he was foon introduced to fome pious
people. He informed the latter of his views, but inftead of
giving him any encouragement, they reprefented to him, that
many well-rneant, and very CApenfive attempts had been made
to chriftianize the Indians, but in vain : That they indeed
had a church, in which fermons were preached to them,
from time to time, and alfo a fchoolmafter, appointed to in-
flru6l their children, but they remained in their old iinful
courfe, and were as much addicted to drunkennefs, as ever.
On this account, no European could dwell among them with
fafety.
The miflionary heard their objeftions patiently, and ex'
prefled his gratitude for their friendfliip and concern for his
welfare, but did not fufFer his confidence in God to be fhaken
in the leafl:. In fole reliance upon Him, who has promifed
" that his word Ihall not return void, but accomplilh that which
'^ he pleafes, an.i profper in the thing whereto he fends it,"
he betook himfelf to prayer, and commended himfelf andhis
million to God. Some days after, he heard tha-t an embaffy of
Indians had arrived at New fork, to treat v/ith government.
He went in fearch of them, and rejoiced that he was able to
fpeak with them in the Dutch language, which they under-
ftood, though imperfedlly. Thefe were the iiril heathen he
had ever feen. They were Mahikander Indians, ferocious
in appearance and manners, and much intoxicated. Having
waited till they were fGber,,he fpoke with two of them, called
Tfchoop and Shabafch, and without ceremony inquired
whether they vv^iflied for a teacher, to infi:ru£l them in the
way to falvation ? Tfchoop anfwered in the affirmative, add-^
ing, that he frequently felt difpofed to know better things
than he did, but knew not how, or where, to iind them ; there-
fore, if any one would come, and in{lru£l him and his ac-i-
quaintance, he ihould be thankful : that they were all poor and
wicked,
Cli- I. EJnhliJhment cf the M'ljfim. f
wicked, yet he thought that it might anfwer a good purpofe.
if. a teacher would come and dwell with them. Shabafch
alfo giving his aflent, the mlilionary rejoiced to hear this de-
claration, conGdered it as a call from God, and promifed im-
mediately to accompany them on their return, and to vilit
them and their people; upon which they declared him to be
their preacher, with true Indian folemnity. Some days after,
he vifited them again, but found them fo much intoxicated,
that they could neither fpcak nor Hand. Upon his third vifit
he found them fober, and having agreed to fet out before
them, they promifed to call for him at Mr. Martin Hof-
man'sj on North River. Here he reinained fome days, wait-
ing in vain for his companions, and then going in fearch of
them to a neighboring Indian town, they milled him, and
proceeded on their journey. However, he fcon learnt that they
lived in Shekomeko, an Indian town, about twenty-live miles
eaft of North River, on the borders of Conne£licut, a pro-
vince of New England near the StiCik mountain, and accord-
ingly he fet out for that place. Before his arrival, Tfchoop
and Shabafch had announced him as the man whom they had
appointed to be their teacher.
He arrived in Shekomeko Auguft i6th, and was received
hi the Indian manner Math much kindnefs. He immediately
addr^ed them concerning the aim of his vifit, nearly to
the following efietl : " I come hither from beyond the great
" ocean, to bring unto you the glad tidings, that God, our
" Creator, fo loved us that He became a man, lived thirty years
" in this world, went about doing good to all men, and at lail
" for our fins was nailed to the crofs, on which he flicd his
" precious blood, and died for us, that we might be delivered
" from fm, faved by his merits, and become heirs of everlafling
" life. On the third day he role again from the dead ; afcend-
" ed into Heaven, where he fits upon liis throne of glory, but
" yet is always prefcnt with us, Lhoa^:^h we fee him not with
" our bodily eyes ; and his only defire is, to (liow his love unto
^' us, &c." They heard this unexpected addrefs with great at-
tention, and, to appearance, not vt'ithout impreiTjon. But
pn the next day, when he began to fpeak with them on the
fiinu-
t9 EJtablifhmeut of the MiJJton. P. II.
fame fubjccfl, he perceived with forrow, that his words ex-
cited derifion, and at laft they openly laughed him to fcorn.
Not difcouraged even by this behaviour, he was indefa-
tigable in vifiting the Indians daily in their huts, reprefent-
ing to them the total depravity of their hearts, and thiir blind-
nefs as to fpiritual things, extolling the grace of God reveal-
ed in Chrifl Jefus, and the full atonement made by him, a5
the only way by which they might be faved from perdition.
In the beginning it appeared, according to his own words,
as if the devil had ftrongly fortified his kingdom amongft
them, and fhut out every good imprelBon. The fmall fuc-
cefs gained by the miniftry of many clergymen, both of the
iM-iglilh and Roman Catholic churches, proved too evidently
the truth of the obfervations made by his pious friends in
New York. For drunkennefs and every other vice prevailed
among the Indians in the moll fhocking degree, and rob-
beries and murders were nothing uncommon. Nor would
they iiften to one word of the Gofpel of Jefus Chrift, but
mocked and laughed, whenever his name was mentioned.
Thefe were Mahikander Indians ; but the Iroquois were no
better, though fome of them, having been baptized by Romifh
priefts, wore beads and crucifixes, which they confidere^
merely as additions to their Indian finery.
On this occafion the miffionary not only fufFered in his
mind, but had alfo to druggie with outward diftrefs and fa-
mine. In travelling from one Indian town to the other, he
fufFered exceflive heat and fatigue in the woods, having
neither the means to keep an horfe, nor money to hire a boat.
Nor would any one receive him into his houfe ; fo that, ac-
cording to his own expreflxon, he was as one always feeking,
and never finding. But he foon forgot this and every other
grievance, when he difcovered, that the word of the crofs
began to be the pow-er of God unto falvation. Tfchoop,
the greateft drunkard amongft them, was the firft, whofe
heart was powerfully awakened through the grace of Jefus
Chrift. He aiked the miflionary, what efFefts the blood of
the Son of God, (lain on the crofs, could produce in the heart
•f man. Had the miffionarv received the moft valuable pre^
Ch. I. TJlahlifrment of the Mlffton. 1 1
fent, it would not hare afforded him a pleafurc in the leaft
«legree equal to what he felt in hearing this queftion from a
foul who fought falvation. His heart burned within him,
whilft he teftified to this poor heathen of the power of the
blood of Jefus. Soon after this, Shabafch was alfo awaken-
ed, and the labor of the Holy Spirit became remarkably evi-
dent in the hearts of thefe two favages. Their eyes over-
flowed with tears, whenever Brother Rauch defcribcd to them
the fufFerings and death of cur Redeemer. They often la-
mented their former blindnefs in worlhipping idols, and their
ignorance of their God and Savior, -who liad loTcd them fo
mxich» that he died to fave them.
Thefe proofs of the power and grace of God were foon
made public. The neighboring Chriftians In Shekomcko,
and particularly the inhabitants of Rcinbeck, were ftirred up,
and became eager to hear the Gofpel, They defired the
miffionary to preach to them in a barn, and many received an
abiding bleffing. Thus he continued to labor a whole year,
never omitting an opportunity to befeech and encourage the
heathen to come to Jefus Chrift.
But fome white people, conceiving their intcrefls would
be injured, if the Indians were converted to Chrifllanity,
began to ftir up the heathen againft Brother Rauch, reprc-
fenting him as a man feeking only to deceive and miflead
them i by which they were fo much irritated, that they at laft
threatened to fhoot him, unlefs he left the place. He there-
fore thought it moft adviGible to depart for a while, and
fought fhclter with a Mr. Rau, a farmer in the neighbor-
hood. This man firft ftarted many objeilions to his plan
of chriftianizing a fet of favages, more like incarnate devil*
than human beings. But when the miflionary declared his
confidence and faith, founded upon the power of that blood
which Jefus Chrift had Ihed for thefe favages alfo; adding,
that he intended to earn hir, bread among them with the la-
bor of his hands, and with the little (kill he had acquired in me-
dicine; the farmer, admiring his zeal, offered him lodg-
ing and board, on condition that he fliould inflrucl: his chil-
dron \
1 2 EJiahl'iJhncnt of the MiJJion. P. II.
fircn; for, added he, ** we white people are as wicked and ig-
" norant as the heathen." The mifiionary confidering this
as a gracious dire6lion of Providence in his behalf, com-
menced fchoolmaiter. But though he attended to this charge
with all faithfuinefs, yet he did not negle6l in his leifure
hours to make daily vifits to the Indians in Shekomeko,
though attended with imminent danger of his life ; for the
white people of that neighboi-hood continued to prepoffefs
the minds of the heathen againfh him, by fpreading all man-
ner of lies and falfe accufations, pretending that he only in-
tended to carry away their young people beyond the feas,
and to fell them for flaves.' Even Tfchoop and Shabafch
were nlled with mifliruft, and became difaffefted towards him.
Some Indians being told, that, if they attended to him, they
would certainly go to the devil, left the place to avoid him.
Thus not only contempt, mockery, and infults were, as he
exprefies himfelf, his daily bread, but feveral white peo-
ple fought even an occafion to beat and abufe him. This he
avoided by great caution, and a mild deportment. Some
threatened to hang him up in the woods ; others endeavored
to make the Indians drunk, that they m.ight murder him in
a drunken frolic. Once an Indian ran after him with his
hatchet, and would doubtlefs have killed him, had he not
ftumbled and fallen into the water. Even Tfchoop, whom
he cordially loved, was fo much irritated, that he fought an
opportunity to flioct him. Shabafch did not feek his life,
but avoided him everywhere. Notwithftanding all this, he
foilovv-„d thefe two perfons with patience and much love,
praying for them, and fowing the word of God in tears. He
was prudent and cautious in all his fteps, never fufFering his
confidence in his Almighty Protestor to be -fhaken, but
acling from a good confcience, with firmnefsand courage.
This appears very evident in a letter written by him at that
time, in which he exprefies him.felf thus : -" I am the mofi;
*' unworthy of all my Brethren, and am convinced, that our
" Savior does not Hand in need of me. And yet he favors
" me to be hio fervant. I feel truly as weak as a worm, and
" am
Ch. L Fjlahlipnent of the M\ffion. _ 1 3
** am ailvamed before him, when I confider my poverty
** raid infufficiency : Did he iiot fupport me daily and hourly,
" I flioukl long before now have been overpov/ered by the
"^ rage and oppofition of Satan. But the ftrength of the
" Lord is made perfe£l in my weaknefs. Indeed I am novr
" called to believe^ what might feem impoflible ; for there is as
** yet not the leall trace of that glory of God, which fliall.
" once be revealed among the gentiles. Yet I will continue
*' to preach the death of the Lord Jefus, for my foul hungers
*' and thirlrs after the falvation of thefe heathen. To gather
*' fouls for Himj is the chief defire of my heart, and I proceed
■^^ upon the word of my Lord in fpite of the combined force
'* of the enemy ; for no gate of Hell is fo well fecured as to
" refill the power of Chriil to buril it open, &c."
In thefe confident hopes he was not difappointed. The
Indians began to admire his perfeverance, courage, meek
and humble behavior, and changed their minds. He fre-
quently fpent half a day in their cottages, ate and drank
with them, and even lay down to ileep among them with
the greateft compofure. This latter circumftance made a
particular impreflion upon them, and efpecially upon Tfchoop.
Once obfetving the miffionary lying in his hut, fad alleep, he
confelTed that he was ftruck with the following thought;
" This man cannot be a bad man, he fears no evil, not even
'^ from us, who are fo favage, but fleeps comfortably, and
" places his life in' our hands." Upon further conrideration
he was at length convinced, that ail the accounts fpread by
the white people to his prejudice, proceeded merely from
malice. He then endeavored to convince his countrymen,
and fucceeded fo well, that in a fhort time the former confi-
dence and friendfiiip between the. Indians and the mifiionary
was eftabliihed. They heard his tellimonjes of the love of
Jefus to finners with renewed eagernefs, and began to rclifn
the truths of the Gofpel.
Thus the mifiinnary had the joy to fee that: his labor wns not
in vain in the Lord; feverai were powerfully moved by hi;^
preaching, and Tfchoop wa^ again the iirft who wiped awav
the
14 EftaU'iJhment of the Mijpon, P. IL
the tears from his eyes, by expreffing his anxious concern and
defire to experience the power of the blood of Jefus in his
heart. It may be eafily conceived, how great tiie joy of Bro-*
ther Ranch was, when he heard this declaration; and with
what eagernefs and energy he preached the word of atone-
ment to the poor repenting prodigaK And by this word, the
divine power was manifefted in him in fo efFedlual a manner,
that he not only afterwards became a believer on Jefus Chrift,
but a blefled witnefs of the truth amongft his own nation.
The change which took place in the heart and conduft
of this man was very ftrikingj for he had been dlftin-
guifhed in all parties met for diverfion, as the mod outrageous,
and had even made himfelf a cripple by debauchery. Some
time after, he related the occafion of his converfion in the fol-
lowing manner: — " Brethren, I have been an heathen, and
** have grown old amongft the heathen ; therefore I know
'* how heathen think. Ouce a preacher came and began to
*' explain to us that there was a God. We anfwered— «
" ' Doft thou think us fo ignorant as not to know that ?
** Go back'tothe place from whence thou camell.' Then again
*' another preacher came and began to teach us, and to fay —
" * You muft not fteal, nor lie, nor get drunk, &c.' — We
" anfwered — ' Thou fool, doft thou think that we don't know
*' that? Learn iirft thyfelf, and then teach the people to
*' whom thou belongeft, to leave off thefe things. For who
" fteals, or lies, or who is more drunken than thine own
*' people ?' And thus we difmifled him. After fome time
*' Brother Chrillian Henry Ranch came into my hut, and fat
** down by me. He fpoke to me nearly as follows : — * I
** come to you In the name of the Lord of heaven and earth :
*' He fends to let you know, that he will make you happy,
" and deliver you from the mifery, in which you lie at pre-
" fent. To this end he became a man, gave his life a ran-
*' fom for man, and Hied his blood for him, &c. Sec' When
** he had finifhed his difcourfe, be lay down upon a board,
*' fatigued by the journey, and fell into a found fleep. 1
" then tliought: What kind of man is this ? There he lies
«' and
Ch. I. EjiahVipmcnt of the M'ljfioju I5
*' and fleeps, I might kill him, and throw him out Into the
*' wood, and who would regard it ? But this gives him no
** concern. However, I could not forget his words. They
*' conftantly recurred to my mind. Even when 1 was afleep,
*' I dreamt of that blootl which Chrift flied for us. I found
" this to be fomething different from what I had ever heard,
" and I interpreted Chriftian Henry's words to the other In-
** dians. Thus, through the grace of God, an awakening
*' took place amongfl: us. I fay therefore, Brethren, preach
*' Chrift our Savior and his fufferings and death, if you would
** have your words to gain entrance amongft the heathen."
Tfchoop having thus become obedient to the Gofpel, Sha-
bafch was foon reclaimed. Though the powers of darknefs
were conftantly at work, not only to keep the Indians in ge-
neral under the flavery of fin, but particularly to feduce
Tfchoop and Shabafch from the right way, yet the grace of
Jefus prevailed, infomuch that, in a fliort time, a fmall com-
pany was colledled, confifting of fuch, who, convinced of
their miferable ftate by nature, exprelTed a moft earneft de-
fire to be delivered from it. Nor were thefe merely tran-
fient emotions; but many Indians, both in Shtkomeko,
Wachquatnach, Pachgatgoch, and other neighboring towns,
were powerfully convinced of the truth of the Gofpel. They
attended the meetings diligently, and with fo good an effecl,
that in many a very vihble change was effecled both in their
lives and manners.
The milBonary alfo took much pains witli the Indians
of all ages, to teach them more of the Dutch language, of
which fome underftood a little. He even taught foine to
read, that they might be the better able to conrprehend his
words, ai\d to interpret them to their countrymen. In June
1 741 he paid his iirft: vifit to the Brethren In Pennfylvania,
whither, as has been mentioned above, all thofe Brethren
and Sifters who had left Georgia had retired, and by the de-
fire of the Rev. Mr. Whitefield had fettlcti upon a piece of
land purchafed by him for the eftablilhment of a negroe
k,'hooL The lioufe intended to be erected for this purpoie,
and
l5 E/Iahri/ljmentcfiheMlJJIon, P. II,
and of which he actually laid the foundation, was called Na-^
zarefBy from wliich afterwards the whole manor received its
name. Mr. Whitefield having defired the Brethren to finilh
the building, they undertook it, though attended with great
danger J the Indians refuhng to quit the country, and tlireat-
ening to murder the Brerhren. However, the Brethren were
obliged to leave this place in the year 1 740.
After this, a refpe£lable merchant offered to fell them a piece
of land about ten miles fouth of Nazareth in the forks of the
Delaware, on the Lecha, an arm of the river Delaware, and
Bifhop David Nitfchman arriving in 1740 with a company of
Brethren and Sifters from Europe, they refolved unanimouHy
to buy this land and make a fettlenient upon it. It was wild and
woody, at a dlftance of eighty miles from the neareft toMm,
■.\nA only two European houies flood in the neighborhood,
about two miles up the river. No other d-w^ellings were to
be feen in the whole country, except the fcattered huts or
cottages of the Indians. In this place the Brethren built a
fettlement, called B^thlchem^ which by their perfeverance,
induflrys and the acceffion of feveral colonifls from Europe,
Viicreafed confiderably from time to time.
Some time after, the Reverend Mr. Whitefield offered the
manor of Nazareth to the Brethren for fale. They accepted
the offer, finiflied the houfe, and Nazareth became by de-
grees a very pleafant fettlement. The difputes with the
Indians concerning the pofleihon of this manor, which in
the beginning threatened ferious confequenccs, were at
length fettled, partly by the Brethren giving way in fome
inilances, that they might not lofe the good will, of the Indi-
ans, and partly by the ifluc of a treaty with the Iroquois,
and their kind interference, as may be feen from Cranz's
Hiftory of the Brethren, and Spangcnberg's Life of Count
Zinzendorf. I have hinted at the firfl eflabiifhment of
Bethlehem and Nazareth, not only becaufe the elders of thefe
congregations have hitherto been appointed to care for,
fupport, and attend to the external and internal welfare
of the miifion among th.e Indians, but on account of the
3 clofe
Ch. I. Eflabnfimsnt of the Mifton, i-j
clofe connexion of thefe Congregations with the believing
Indians, in whofe profperity they have always taken the
neareft fhare, and rendered the moft efFeftual fervices to
this miffion.
About the time of Chriftian Henry Ranch's vifit in Beth-
lehem, in the fummer of 1 741, many Delaware Indians lived
in the country, who were not well difpofed towards the Bre-
thren. The latter omitted no opportunity of fhowing a kind
difpofition to ferve them in various ways, and fome Brethren
even made it their bufinefsto preach the Gofpel to them: one
of them, called Chriftian Froelich, became acquainted with
their captain ; his name was Jan, and he could fpeak a little
Englifh. The captain at length conceived fuch an affedion for
Brother Froelich, that he offered to make him a prefent of his
fon, a boy of about eleven years old. He once invited him to a
grand fea(l,condu£l:ed nearly in the fame manner as defcribed in
the Firft Part of this work : After the conclufion of the feaft,
made as ufual with a full Indian chorus, the captain alked
Brother Froelich, How he liked it ? He anfwered, " If you
" knew the Son of God, of whom I fpoke to you yefterday,
" your joy and pleafure would be much more fubftantial."
The captain immediately interpreted Brother Froelich*s
words, and what he had told him of Jefus Chrift^ the Son
of God, to M'hich Froelich added fome words by way of
exhortation. They were aftonilhed at an addrefs fo new,
and a general filence enfuing, Brother Froelich continued :
*' You have juft prayed, and fung in your way, and now
" I beg you to allow me to pray and fing to Jefus, the
*' Son of God ; perhaps he may caufe you to feel fomething
*' in your hearts, though you do not underfland my words."
They gladly affented, and the hut was immediately fwept
clean. Froelich then kneeled down in the midfl of them,
and prayed to God our Savior, that he would have mercy upon
this poor blind people, for whom he had flied his pre-
cious blood. He was fo much moved, that he accompanied
his prayer with many tears j and feveral of the Indians could
not help weeping \>..h him. One of them even rofe, and
Part II. C taking
l8 Eftahlijhnnent of the Mi[fio7t. P. 11.
taking him by the hand, faid, " Indeed I have felt fomething
" in my heart."
To return to the hiftory of the mifhonary Chr. H. Ranch.
Having ftrengthened himfelf in faith and love during his
abode vi^ith the Brethren at Bethlehem, he returned to his
miflion. Bifliop David Nitfchman went with him, the miflion-
among the heathen being one of the principal obje£\:s of his-
attention in vifiting America. He therefore wiflied with
his own eyes to fee the feed of the Gofpel fpring up, and
to obferve the work of grace prevailing among the Indians-
He found great reafon to rejoice at the blefung attending the
preaching of the word of God, and upon his return made
a very favorable report of what he had feen in Sheko-
meko.
The Brethren meanwhile confidered how they might fend
alTiftants to labor in this hopeful work of the Lord, and
Martin Mack, one of the Brethren from Georgia, and
afterwards Bifliop and fuperintendent of the miilion among
the Negroes in the Danifh Weft India illands, was appointed
thereto. In 0£lober 1741 the Brethren Buettner, Pyrlaeus,
and William Zander, arrived from Europe to affift in the
miiTion. Brother Rauch was Indefatigably employed in
attending both to the inflruftion of his hoft's children, and
to the converfion of the favages. The declarations of the lat-
ter, who were under concern for the falvation of their fouls,
fupported and ftrengthened his faith and courage, and it gave
him infinite joy when Tfchoop came to him of his own ac-
cord, and didated the following letter to the Brethren in
Pennfvlvania : " I have been a poor wild heathen, and for
*' forty years as ignorant as a dog, I v/as the greateft drunk-
'* ard, and the mcft willing (lave of the devil \ and as I knew
*' nothing of our Savior, I ferved vain idols, which I now
" widi to fee deftroyed with fire. Of this I have repented
*' with many tears. When I heard that Jefus was alfo the.
" Savior of the heathen, and that I ought to give him my
" heart, I felt a drawing within me towards him ; but my
" neareft relations, my wife and childr-n, v/ere my enemies,
« and
fell. L Ejlabli/Jjrnenf of the Mi/fwh. I9
" and my greateil enemy v.'-as my wife's mother. She told
** me, that I was w^orfe than a dog, if I no more believed in
** her idol ; but my eyes behig opened, I underftood that
*' what file faid was altogether folly, for I knew that flie had
*' received her idol from her grand-mother. It is made of
" leather, and decorated with wampom, and flie being the
** oldeft perfon in the lioufe, made us worfliip it, which
" we have done, till our teacher came and told us of the
" Lamb of God who ftied his blood, and died for us ignorant
" people. I was afloniflied at this do£lrine, and as often as
" I heard it preached, my heart grew warm. I even dreamt
" often, that our teacher ftood before me, and preached to
** mci Now I feel and believe that our Savior alone can
*'• help me by the power of his blood, and no other. I
" believe that he is my God and my Savior, who died on the
*' crofs for ?«<' a finner. I wifh to be baptized, and frequent-
" ly long for it moft ardently. I am lame, and cannot
" travel in winter, but in April or May I will come to you.
" The enemy has frequently tried to make me unfaithful ;
*' but what I loved before, I confider more and more as
" dung. I am your poor wild Tfchoop."
At the end of the year 1741, Count Zinzendorf came to
Pennfylvania as ordinary of the Brethren, with a view to
fee not only their eftablifliments in general, but efpecially
the fruits of their labor among the heathen.
Soon after his arrival Brother Gottlob Buettner was fent
on a vifit to Brother Ranch in Shekomeko, to invite him to
a fynod of the Brethren to be held at Oiy. This vifit proved
a true cordial to him : Brother Buettner fpent ten days with
him, rejoicing with amazement at fo glorious a work of
God begun amongft thefe wild heathen •, and January 14,
1742, he preached for the firfl time to thirty-two Indians
upon the words, He hath delivered us from the poiver of
darknefs^ and hath trai fated us into the kingdom of his dear Soru
The Indians hearing that thefe two Brethren intended to
fet out for Pennfylvania, Shabalh, Seim, and Kiop obtained
leave to accompany them, to vifit the Brethren there j but.
C 7, Tfchoop,
i6 EJlabliJJoment of the Mljfion, P. IL
Tfchoop, being lame, could not undertake fo long a journey at
that time. They left Shekomeko January 22d, but being
on foot and in the company of Indians, wei-e refufed ad-
mittance at fome inns, and at others, not only laughed at>
but their bills were purpofely overcharged. However, the
Lord helped them through all difficulties, and they arrived
at Oly, February 9th, by way of Philadelphia. Here they
fourid Count Zinzendorf and many laborers and minifters of
various denominations aflembled together. The appearance
of the three Indian vifitors, whofe hearts were filled
with the grace of Jefus Chrift and thf* love of God,
made a deep imprefTion upon all prefent. Soon after their
arrival a party of Delaware Indians came to fee them, tcf
whom they immediately fpoke of Jefus Chrifl:, their God
and Savior. Xhey likewife declared to the Brethren how
much they wiflied for baptifm. Having received the Gof-
pel with a believing heart, been faithfully infirufted in the
do6lrine of falvation, and earneftly defiring to obtain mercy
and pardon in the blood of Jefus, the fynod firft declared
them candidates for baptifm, and then refolved without de^
lay to adminifter holy baptifm to them in the prefence of the
whole aflembly.
February nth, 1742, being the day appointed for this-
important tranfailion, was indeed a day never to be forgot-
ten in the annals of this milFion. The prefence of God was
fenfibly felt during the morning prayer. But immediately
after, fome ill-difpofed people coming from the neighbor-
hood, raifed fuch difturbance that the whole company was
upon the point of difperfing, and of poflponing this tranf-
a^lion for the prefent. However, peace and quietnefs
being happily rertored, there was a folemn meeting in the
afternoon, in which Brother Chriftian Henry Rauch, and
his affiftant Brother Gottlob Buettner, were ordained deacons
by the two bifliops, David Nitfchman and Count Zinzen-
dorf. After this ad;, preparations were made in a barn be-
longing to Mr. Van Dirk (there being no church in Oly)
for the baptifm of the above-mentioned Indians,, which
I ^ wa&
Ch, I. Efiahltjlmcnt of the Mijfioti, 21
was to be admlniftered by the miffionary, Chriftian. Henry
Rauch. Thq whole aiTembly being met, the three catechu-
mens were placed in the midft, and v.-ith fervent prayer and
fupplication devoted to the Lord Jefus Chrift, as his eternal
property, upon which Brother Rauch, with great emotion
of heart, baptized thefe three firftlings of the North Ame-
rican Indians into the death of Jefus, in the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghoil, calling
Shaba'h, Abraham j Seim, Ifaac ; and Kiop, Jacob.
The pov/erful fenfation of the grace of God, which pre-
vailed during this facred tranfaclion, filled all prefent with
awe and joy, and the efFedl produced in the baptized Indi-
ans aftonifhed every one. Their hearts were filled v/ith fuch
rapture, that they cculd not keep filence, but made known
to all the white people who came into their hut, what great
favor had been bellowed upon them. They preached a whole
night to a party of Delaware Indians, who were in the neigh-
borhood, and by the providence of God were jufb at that
time led to return to Oly. When one ceafed, the other
began, and their animated teftimony of Jefus filled their
hearers with admiration. Soon after this, they fet out with
Brotlier Rauch, went firil to Bethlehem, and having fpent
fome days with the Brethren to mutual edification, they pro-
ceeded on their journey, full of fpirit and life, in the com-
pany of their beloved teacher. When they came home,
they teftified to. all their relations and friends of the grace
beftowed upon them by God, and their words made an abid-
ing impreiTion in the minds of the heathen.
On the 1 6th of April in the fame year the firft facramental
tranfaclion was performed in Shekomeko, in the midft of
an heathen country. Brother R.auch had then tlie comfort to
adminifter holy baptifm to his dearly beloved Tichoop, whom
he called John. This man, who formerly looked more like
a wild bear than a Imman creature, was now transformed into
a Iamb, and whoever beheld him, was amazed at fo evident
a proof of the powerful efficacy of the word and facrament
cf the L-ord. The account of this b^ptilmal tranfadion,
^ 3 and
'J.Z Efablijlment of the Mijfton. P. 11.
and above all things, the vifible and in every point of view
remarkable change eiFe£led in the minds and conduft of the
four new- baptized converts, raifed the aftoniihmentof all the
favages far and near. And indeed the difference between the
countenances of the believing Indians and thofe of the favages
■was fuch, that it was remarked by all who faw them. The
fire of the Gofpel began now to fpread, and kindle in the
hearts of many heathen : nothing could be more enlivening
than to fee them coming from different places, from 25 to
30 miles diftant, to Shekomeko, to hear the new preacher;^
who fpoke, according to their exprelTion, of a God who
became a man, and had loved the Indians fo much, that he
gave up his life, to refcue them from the devil and rhe fervice
of fin. The bold and undaunted tellimony delivered by the
miffionary, of the atonement made by Jefus Chrift our Sa-
vior, confirmed by the u'crds and deportment of the new-
baptized, penetrated into the hearts of the favages, and it
appeared as if the Lord would gain a rich harveft in thofe
parts, as a reward for the travail of his foul. As to the
new-baptized, no one evinced a more fbriking growth in
grace than John. He pofTefFed alfo a peculiar gift, of ex-
prefRng himfelf in a plain, intelligible, and convincing
mannei". In a letter he dictated to Count Zinzendorf he de-
fi:ribes his former ftate, and adds, " that he had perceived
** the firfl emotion in his heart during the preaching of the
" crofs of Jefus, and that it immediately ftruck him as
*' fomething more than common, for he felt hirnfelf warmed
" by it. That his teacher had repeatedly told him, that no
<• one but the crucified Savior could help him, and that he
*' always was ready to help him, if he would only fubmit;
** but that having loved fo many other things, he de-
*' fpalred of being ever able to give them up. That he had
*' cleaved faft to the world, and was full of felf-love, mak-
*' ing a god of his belly : fearing alfo the reproach of man,
*' and yet convinced tliat, unlcfy he farrendered his whole
*' heart to our Savior, he would be damned on account of
^' unbeUef, &c.", In another letter he fent to the Count, he
concludes
Ch. L EJlahliJhment of the MiJJton. 23
concludes a more extenfive defcription of the uneafinefs and
anxiety of his heart, occafioned by his former abominable
courfe of life, with thefe words : " But now I am happy,
" for I know that our Savior has done much for me; I am
" now as much humbled as I was forrowful. As foon as I
" felt that I loved him, I immediately \vi{hed for brethren,
" who loved him alfo. Therefore I love my brother Rauch,
" and you, and all my brethren here, and all brethren every-
*' where, even thofe whom I (hall never fee in this world.
** All who love the Lord Jefus I love and falute. I rejoice
" more and more becaufe our Savior makes others likewife hap-
" py, and not me only. I am always glad when our Brethren
" make known to us his word ; it is fweet to my tafte, and
" I attend clofely, that I may be as the Bible dire£ls.
** And it is eafy. There are men who fay. The Bible is a
" hard book j but I have not come fo far, as to find it
"hard, It is all fweet and eafy; I therefore wait patiently
" till I come to the hard part : As yet I only know that it is
" eafy and fweet^ and can add nothing more, except that I
" feel the power of our Savior's blood-
*' John, your Brother."
Brother Gottlob Buettner was hindered from returning
immediately to Shekomeko ; Iiowever, he labored to the ut-
moft of his power to fpread the Gofpel among the Indians,
partly by travelling from Bethlehem to different parts of the
country, and partly by preaching the word of God to thofe
Indians who vifited Bethlehem. He fays, in a letter writ-
ten to Europe, " I often think of my brethren in all our
*' congregations, praying with great fervency of fpirit,
" that they may all be entirely devoted to the Lord ; for
** there are fo many places where our Savior's name is not
*' mentioned, much iefs worfliipped, that if even two hun-
*' dred witneifes were employed in America, yet many places
^' >yould be left without the benefit of the Gofpel."
24 P/r/? Settlejnent of Indian Converts. P. 11,
CHAPTER II.
Travels of Count Zinzendorf among the Indians,
EJiahliJhment of the frfi Settlement of Chr'iftian In-^
dians.
IN the year 1 742, Count Zinzendorf, who made the con^f
verfion of the "heathen an objeft of his' particular atten-r
tipn, undertook three different journies to vifit the Indians.
Before he fetout, the miffionaries, Frederic Martin, Gott-
lieb Ifrael, and George Weber, had arrived in Bethlehem,
from St. Thomas, with one of their negroe-converts, and
there met Brother Rauch and the Indian, John, from Shekor
meko. Count Zinzendorf rejoiced exceedingly to be able
to converfe with thefe men, formerly the moft blind and
favage of human beings, but now lovers of God our Savior,
and happy believers.
Having frequently conferred with the above-named mif-
fionaries concerning the labor among the heathen, he fet out
from Bethlehem on the 24th of July, with his daughter Be-
nigna, eleven Brethren, and three Sifters, fome of whom
fpoke Englilh and Dutch, and others a little of the Indian
language. He had likewife an Indian guide and interpreter.
Their lirft vifit was to the Indian Patemi, who lived not
far from Nazareth. He was a man of a remarkably quiet
and modeft deportment, fpoke Englifh well, and had regulated
his houfekeeping much in the European ftyle. An account
lie gave of fome ceremonies ufed at the Indian facrifices,
afforded an opportunity to the Brethren to fpeak to him of
the great facrifice made by the Lamb of God for our fins,
which he attended to with much earneftnefs, and very will-
ingly liftened to the admonitions given him by the Count.
In Clillowacka, they called upon an old Indian whom the
people confidered as a prieit, and whofe grandfon was fick
unto death. The Count prayed for the child, recommend-
ing
Ch. II. Firfl Settlemetit of Indian Ccnverts. 25
ing it to its Creator and Redeenier. Then Brother William
Zander, who was in the Count's company, made known the
w^ill of God concerning our falvation to the old Indian, who,
as he underftood Englifli, afterwards interpreted Brother
Zander's words to the Indians affembled in tlie houfe, to
which they appeared toliften very attentively. From thence the
travellers proceeded to another Indian town, chiefly inhabited
by Delawares. They were overtaken on the road by a fe-
vere fhower, accompanied with thunder and lightning. On
their arrival the captain's hut was very civilly offered to them
for {belter, and having dried their clothes and had a good
night's reft, they profecuted their journey over the Blue
Mountains, an European trader, called Remberger, joinino-
their company.
In Pochapuchkung they pitched their tents near the habi-
tation of an Indian phyfician, who not only fecmed to at-
tend to what was told him of Jefus Chrift, the Redeemer of
mankind, with much emotion, but alfo repeated it to twelve
Indians affembled before the tent, with great energy.
July the 3Gth they pafled a very high and wild range of
hills, near the river Schuilkill.' The Count perceiving a
party of Indians on the oppofite bank, waded immediately-
through the riverj which was about three or four feet deep,
but w^as received by the people with fuch marked coolnefs,
that he returned v/ith an heavy heart. However, foon after,
an Indian followed him, to beg the whole company to come
over to them, and the Count crofied the v/ater a third
time. He had now no reafon to repent of his ti-oublc,
for the Indians earneftly defired to hear the word of God,
which Brother 'Zander preached to them with power and
energy. The lail Indian town vifited by the Count was
Meniolagomekah, from which he returned ftraioht to Beth-
lehem.
Though his firft journey did not appear to be of any
great confequence, yet it tended to eftablifh both a better
acquaintance and firmer friendfhip with the Indians j and
fome years after, both the Indian guide he had employed,
and
26 Firjl Settlement of Indian Cmverts, P. IL
and nlmon: all the inhabitants of Meniolagomekah, turned'"
with their whole hearts unto the Lord.
About this time a letter arrived from Shekomeko, dictated
by the Indian John to the Conj^regation in Bethlehem, of
which the following is an extratl :
, " My dear Brethren and Sifters,
" I Jove you much. The fenfations of my heart
*' I cannot defcribe. I feel that I love my Savior ; but I fee
" that much is ftill wanting. Formerly I did not know what
** it was to be a truly humble fmner, but now I find, that the
*' poorer in fpirit I am, the more happinefs I enjoy. I per-
*' ceive plainly, that there is no true pleafure but in com-
*' munion with our Savior, nor will I have any, but in him.
*' I cannot be humble enough, when I confider what he has
" done for me ; for I was a very bad man, cold as a piece of
*' ice, and dead as a (lone. His blood has foftened and
*' warmed me. This is all I can fay to my friends, the
*' heathen Indians, for I always think, that when they feel
*• the power of our Savior's blood in their hearts, they will
" be better in one hour, than I have been in two years :
*' they know already, that all this is truth, for they now
*' perceive that all thofe that continue in fin, do not believe
" on the great Son of God. Nothing is fo important to me,
*' as to hear of the blood of my Savior. I alfo perceive that
*' it is the only thing which can melt the hearts of men. 1
*' am now like a piece of v/ood in his hands, and he may form
** me according to his good pleafure. I am ready to do every
*' thing that is written in the Bible, with a willing heart.
*' And I find it true, that I can do all things through Chrifl
" which fiirengtheneth me. I alfo believe that all w;hat
" my teachers fay, is really contained in the Bible, and the
" experience of my heart tells me, that it is. For my heart is
*' alio a book. I find in it every thiiig that I muft tell and
*' preach to my friends. I am alfo convinced, that it is very
*' needful for us to form fuch a congregation, as the Bible
" defcribes, and to follow the rules contained therein. I
" long for it much, for we are a very wild people, but our Sa-
" vior can make us tame and tradlable. If \\'<:. only bc-
'^ corne
Ch. II. Firjl Settlement of Indian Converts. 27
** come his good and willing children, then every thing will
*' be eafy, and may he grant us this grace for his blood's fake.
*' I falute all the Brethren and Sifters moft cordiallvj being
*^ your poor finner,
*' John from amongft the Heathen."
This letter, written in fimplicity, though deficient in ex-
preffion, gave great pleafure both to Count Zinzendorf,
and to the whole congregation at Bethlehem, being an
evident proof of the great change MTought in the heart of
this man, lately fo wild and favage. In Auguft, the Count
fet out in company of Conrad Weifler to vifit the people at
Tulpehokin. On the 14th, he met with a numerous embairy
of Sachems, or heads of the Six Nations, returning from Phi-
ladelphia. Though they were extremely wild, and had, on the
fame day, fliotone of their own people, yet he would not omit
fo good an opportunity of preaching the Gofpel, but defired
Conrad Weilfer to tell thein, that he had a word from God to
them and their nations, which he and his brethren would
proclaim to them: further, that his intention was neither
to buy land, nor to trade, but to point out to them the way to
everlafting life. Conrad Weifler added : " This is the man,
^* whom God hath fent both to the Indians and to the white
^' people to make known his will unto them," confirming his
words, after the Indian cuftom, by a prefent of a piece of red
cloth. At firft the Indians feemed not well difpoled, and
it was doubtful, what anfwcr would be returned. But the
wife of one of the ambafladors juft then entering the hut,
with a child in her arms ; it immediately ran to the Count,
and began to play v/ith him. Upon this the father imme-
diately faluted Brother Zander, whom he had feen before ;
and this clrcumftance made fo good an impreffion upon the
reft, that they immediately held a council. After about
half an hour's confultationy the ambafladors of theOnondago
and Cajuge nations came to the Count, and addrefied him as
follows: '• Brother, you have made a long voyage over the
'* fcas to preach to the white people and to the Indians. You
« did
28 Firfl Settlement of Indian Converts, P. II.
** did not know that we were here, and we knew nothing
"of you. This proceeds from above. Come therefore to
*' tis, both you and your brethren, we bid you M'elcome, and
" take this fathom of wampom in confirmation of the truth
" of our words." Thus a kind of covenant was made be-
tY^etn the Brethren and the Six Nations, which was at that
time of great importance, for the influence of thefe nations
being very great, they migh«- have confiderabiy obftru£led
the progrefs of the Gofpe!, had they been enemies.
Having a great defire to fee the mifTionary Chriflian Henry
Rauch at Shekomeko, the Count left Bethlehem again on
the 2ift of Augufl with his daughter Benigna and Brother
Anthony SeyfFart. They pafTed over the Blue Mountains
to Meniffing and Sopus, where they were joined by another,
party of Brethren coming from New York, and arrived on
the 27th in Shekomeko, after pafRng through dreadful wil-
dernefTes, woods, and fwamps, in which they fuffered much
hardfhip. The miiTionary received them into his hut with in-
exprefhble joy, and tlie day following lodged them in a cot-
tage of bark, ereded for them. Count Zinzendorf after-
wards declared this to have been the moil agreeable dwelling
he had ever inhabited. The joy he felt at feeing what the
Lord had done in this place was very great, and his heart
was filled with the moft pleafing hopes for futurity. His
chief and indeed mofl agreeable employment was to converfe
with the four baptized Indians. ' In a letter written at that
time, he mentions, that Ids joy over them increafed every
day. It happened that a clergyman paffing through Sheko-
meko, called on the Count, and entered into a difpute with
him concerning the perfon of the Son of God. The Indian
John lay ill on the floor, and began to pray that Jefus Cliriffc
would reveal himfelf tothe clergyman. When he was gone,
John exclaimed, " O how will this man be once afliamed,
" when he learris to know the Lord Jefus !"
During the Count's abode at Shekomeko the following ar-
ticles ^;vere drawn up :
I. As
Ch. II. Fuji Settlemefit of Indian Converts. 1Q
1. As the converfion of whole nations does not at prefent
appear to be at hand, the miiTionaries ought not to leek for a
fpeedy increafe of numbers, but to do their utmoft, that the
firlliings be well eftabiifned in faith and love.
2. To this end, great attention and faithful care fhould be
bellowed upon the few who are converted.
Q. The Gofpel irmft be preached to all who v/ill hear it;
yet none muil be baptized but fuch in whom true life from
God, and a living faith in Jefus Chrift, is perceptible.
4. Still greater caution is necefiai-y in admitting the con-
verts to the Lord's Supper: and none but fuch who have
proved their faith by their works, and walk worthy of thti
Gofpel, can be admitted to this Sacrament.
5. The miflionaries fhould endeavor to give the converts
a clear infight into all divine truths contained in the Scrip-
ture 5 but muft be careful, that not merely their heads be filled
v/ith knowledge, but that their hearts enjoy and experience
the power of the word of God.
6. At the earneft requefh of the baptized, fuch regulations
fliall be made at Shekomeko (as far as circumftances permit)
as maybe neceiTary in eftablifhing an apoRolical congrega-
tion of Jefus, according to tat wifdom granted unto us by-
God.
■7. For this purpofe, rules and ftatutes fliall be agreed
upon, and their obfervance duly attended to in love and meek-
nefs.
8. The four firftlings of the Indian nation fhall be firft
taken into confideration, and appointed affiilants of the mif-
fionaries in the important work of God amongft their nation,
not becaufe they were the firll who were baptized, but be-
caufe a peculiar power of grace and fpirit evidently refts
upon them. John fhall be appointed Indian teacher and in-
terpreter, Abraham elder, Jacob exhorter, and Ifaac fervant.
Further it was
9. Refolved, that fix heathen, who were very dcnrous to re-
ceive this fealof thei-emiffion of their fins, fnould be baptized.
Agreeably to thefe refolutions, a Chrlfliati congregation
was eftabliflisd in Shekomeko, flatutes and regulations were
mads
3© F'lrJ} Settlement of Indian Converts. P, IL
made and agreed upon, and the above-mentioned four firfl-
lings were appointed afliflants, and bleffed for their office with
mipofition of hands. The Count frequently- declared, that
they were true fervants of God among their nation, to whofe
converfation, he and his company had often attended with
aftonifliment. On the fame day die miiTionary Rauch adminif-
tered holy baptifm to the fix above-mentioned catechumens.
This ti'anfaftion was attended with particular grace and unc-
tion : Kaubus was called Timothy ; Kermelok, Jonah; Her-
ries, Thomas ; Abraham's wife, Sarah ; Ifaac's wife, Rebecca y
and Hcrriey's wife, Eilher.
Thus the firft congregation of believing Indians eflablifhed
by the Brethren in North America confifted of ten perfons.
Their fmcerity, faith, and love, alforded inexpreffible joy to
the Brethren ; and it was remarkable with what efleem they
\rere treated, even by the \vildefl favages.
September the 4th, the Count took publicly an afPedlon-
ate leave of thefe worthy people, and, furrounded by a large
number of Indians, fung an hymn of thankfgiving in the
Dutch language ; upon which he with his company fet out
for Bethlehem, accompanied by feme unbaptized Indians as
guides. Two of them, having anfwered feveral quellions
put to them in prefence of the whole congregation with
cheerfulncfs and great emotion, were baptized by the Count
and Gottlob Buettner, and called David and Joihua. This
vas the firft baptifm of Indians in Bethlehem.
Towards the twd of September Count Zinzendorf fet out
upon his third journey to the Indians, and particularly to
thofe who then lived on the banks -A the Sufquehannah, a
large river flowing into Chefapeak Bay. As there were fome
towns upon this river, in which Indians of different nations
lived together, he took with him Brother Martin Mack and
his wife, who could fpeak the Mahikander language well,
and the two Indians Joihua and David, who underftood Low
Dutch. Conrad Wei O'er, a man well acquainted Viith the
cuiloms and manners of the Indians, was alfo willing to ac-
company him. The river Sufquehannah not being navigable
in autumn, they took the land-road, through thick woods,
low
Ch. II. F'lrji Sdtlctiieiit of Indian Converts. 3 i
low fwamps, and over unfrequented and fteep mountains,
and after much fatigue arrived, on the 28th pf September, at
Shomokin,a populous Indian town.
The Count was in hopes to find Shikellimus here, who
was one of the above-mentioned ambaffadors of the Six Na-
tions, for whom, he had conceived a particular i-egard ; but
Conrad "VVeifler knowing that he was fent with a meffage to
Onondago, informed the Count that he could not expc£l to
fee him. However it fo happened, tliat Shikellimus had
met with another captain, to v/hom he entrufted his com-
miffion, and returned to Shomokin. Thus upon the arrival
of the Brethren, the Count and Wciflcr were not a little fur-,
prifed to fee Shikellimus com.ing to meet them. A favage
llepping up to the Count, prefented him with a fine melon,
for which the latter gave him his fur-cap. Shikellimus kept
hold of the Count's hand, repeatedly exprelling his pleafure
at his arrival, and endeavoring to leain the aim of his com-
ing from Conrad Weifier. I'he latter told him, that the
Count was a meffenger of the living God, fcnt to preach grace
and mercy; to which Slilkellimus anfwered, that he was
glad thatfuch a mefTenger came to inftruft their nation.
The day after, he came to the Count's tent, and fat down
between him and Conrad WeifTer the interpreter. The
Count firft aflced Shikellimus, whether he would liftentohim
attentively; and then proceeded to acquaint him v/ith his
motives for taking fo long a journey, fpeaking to him of the
grace which Jefus Chrifl was now willing to impart to thefe
heathen nations. Shikellimus made anfwer, that the Count's
motive was very agreeable to him, and that he would certainly
do every thing in his power to forward his defign. And indeed
he perform^ed his promife, by endeavoring to ferve the Bre-
thren wherever he was able. One day the Brethren had af-
fembled to pray the Litany; but the Indians having juft then
a feaft, and making a great noife with drums, mufic, and fing-
ing, the Count fent word to Shikellimus by Conrad Weifier,
that the Brethren were going to call upon their God; upon
which he immediately procured a general filence.
Oa
32 Tirji Settlement cf Indian Converts, P. II.
On the 3cth the Count and his company proceeded on
their journey, but Jofliua, the Indian guide, being ill, Brother
Martin Mack and his wife ftald at Shomokin to attend him.
Shikellimus having led the whole company on horfeback
through the Sufquehannah, v/hich was then fordable, they
took the road to Otftonwackin, and fpent that night in the
wood. The day following they w^ere met by an Indian who
underftood French and Englifli, befides a great number of
Indian languages. When they approached to Otftonwackin,
this Indian rode forward of his own accord, and probably
procured the friendly reception the Brethren met with in
that place. Otftonwackin was then inhabited not only by
Indians of different tribes, but alfo by Europeans who had
adopted the Indian manner of living. Among the latter
was a French woman, Madame Montour, who had mar-
ried an Indian warrior, but loft him in a war againft the Ca-
tawbas. This woman kindly entertained the Count and his
company, and they refted at her houfe for tv/o days.
From hence Brother Peter Boehler returned with Jcfhua
and David to Bethlehem, and Conrad Weifler went to Tul-
pehokin, promiling to return to the Count at a fixed time;
but Martin Mack and his wife, from Shomokin, proceeded in
the Count's company to Wajomick.
This place was then inhabited by the Shawanofe, a very
depraved and cruel people, always at enmity with the Euro-
peans, and invited thither by the Iroquois with a view to
proteft -the filver-mines, faid to be in the neighborhood,
from the white people. The Brethren encamped in the midft
of this favage tribe, and ftaid twenty days with them. The
Shawanofe thought, that, as Europeans, they came either to
trade or to buy land, and though the Counj, endeavored to
explain the true aim of his coiiiing, yet fome fufpicion re-
mained. However, he did not omit any opportunity to fpeak
both with the chiefs and the people concerning the way to
faivation; and upon feme his words appeared to make fo great
an impreflion as to give him hopes chat they would receive
the GofpeJ I bu: upon the whole their hearts feemed ihut
againft:
Cii. n. Firjl Settlement of Indian Converts, 33
againft the truth ; and the principal chief or king betrayed a
particular enmity on all occafions. Yet the abode of the
Brethren in this place led to a better acquaintance with the
Indians, and the more the Count faw their great blindnefs
and depravity, the more fervently he offered up prayers in
their behalf to God our Savior, as the light to enlighten the
Gentiles. Whenever he M^ithdrew into his own tent for
this purpofe, he only faftened the entrance with a pin, and
not one of the favages ventured to enter. It appeared after-
wards that the favages had confpired to murder him and
his whole company. But God in mercy prevented it ; for Con-
rad Weiffer, who could not poffibly know any thincr of their
defign, being detained in fonie town beyond his appointed
time, became fo uneafy, that he haftened back to Wajomick,
and arrived jull in time to difcoVer and prevent the execu-
tion of this murderous plot.
The return of the Count to the cultivated parts of Penn- "
fylvania was rendei'ed very troublefomc, and even dangerous,
by the late feafon of the year, and the great floods; but by
the mercy of God, they all arrived fafe in Bethlehem No-
vember 9th. Meanwhile Brother Gottlob Buettner and his
wife had left Bethlehem, and arrived at Shekomeko on the
1 ft of October, to the great joy of Brother Rauch. Thefe
two meffengers of peace preached the Gofpel with unanimity
and zeal, either in Engli/h or Dutch, and John, Jonathan
and other baptized Indians interpreted and confirmed theii
words both in public and private, with great energy. The
miffionaries likewife read the Bible to the baptized, with
a view by degrees to make them well acquainted with the
Holy Scriptures ; the latter afsing queftions, or defiring ex-
planations, by which their growth in grace and knowledge
was greatly promoted. The Indians alfo from the neigh-
boring towns made frequent vifits to Shekomeko, and feemeJ
never tired of hearing the word of God. Many favages,
who formeriV had lived like wild beafts, worfhipping idols,
bloody-minded, and eagerly purfuing all manner of vices and
Paut II. D abomina-
24 F'lrJ} Settlement of Iiid'tnn Converts, P. I-I.
abominations, flocked now together to hear tlie Gofpel of
their Savior, and his ntonement ; and fome were fo much
moved, that they ceafed not to weep during the dif-
CGurfe-, fome fell upon their faces, and by other figns
(hewed how deeply the words had penetrated and humbled
their hearts. When they returned home, they told all their
friends and neighbors, with great rapture, what "great words"
they had heard from the Brethren. This was indeed a gra-
cious time of vifitation from the Lord. Several brought
even their children to the miflionaries, begging them to care
for and inftruft them. Thomas and Either came and made
them a prefent of their daughter, adding, that they could
not educate her as they ought. She was afterwards call-
ed Martha in baptifm, became a member of the congrega-
tion in Bethlehem, and was appointed fchoolmiftrefs at a
fettlement of the Brethren called Litiz^
More Indians having, upon their earned requeft, been bap-
tized, a weekly meeting for the baptized only was now infti-
tuted, in which they were addreffed as perfons, who had re-
ceived mercy; they f^ng and prayed together, and concluded
with imparting to each other the kifs of peace. (Gal.
xiii. 12.)
This meeting was frequently diftinguifhed by a moft power-
ful fenfation of the prefence and peace of God, and the
blefl'ed influence it had upon the conduft of the baptized,
aftonifhed even the neighboring Chrillians. Jonathan once
related, that the above-mentioned farmer, John Rau, had
aflced him, how it happened, that now he was not as fond of
hunting as formerly ? " True," anfwered he, " I am not, and
*' do not intend to be as great an huntfman as formerly; my
" defire is now after our Savior; all things belong to him, and
" he gives them to whom he will. Formerly I was intent
** upon nothing but (hooting and killing; but how my heart
" is fixed upon my Savior and his wounds; and when I go
** out and (lioot a deer, I thank him for his gifts." A favage
being prefent, replied, " Is it the devil then, who gives the
" dter
Ch. n. pirfi Settlement of huliari Converts. 35
*' deer to the heathen Indians ?" This gave Jonathan an op-
portunity to fpealv to him of the great love of God towards
the juft and the unjuft, for he givech food to all flefli.
In the above-mentioned meetings of the baptized many
ufeful admonitions were given, and they were particularly
exhorted to be diligent at their work, that they might pay
their debts and eat their own bread. If any one of them
a£led not conformably to the rule of the Gofpel, he "was
led with meeknefs to a confefTion and amendment of his
error.
December 6th, 17425 a burying-ground was laid out for
the ufe of the baptized, and the child Lazara was the firfl
interred in it. A week after this, the miflionaries had the
joy to adminifler holy baptifm to fifteen perfons upon the
fame day.
Towards the clofe of the year. Brother Martin Mack
and his wife arrived at Shekomeko, and Brother Rauch went
on a vifit to Bethlehem. Abraham faid, " Formerly I ufed
'* to think, that there was no man like Brother Rauch in the
" world, but now I am fatlsfied, if only his Brethren live with
" us." Brother Mack, immediately upon his arrival, conceived
fuch a love for the Indians, that, according to his own ex-
preflion, his heart was knit to them. He acknowledged, with
gratitude to God, the grace bellowed upon his wife, towards
whom the Indian women had great confidence, fo that {he
even eftabliflied focieties orclaffes among them, in which they
met to converfe about the ftate of their fouls, and the Lord
laid a fpecial blefiing upon thefe meetings. Brother Mack
fays in one of his letters, *' John is a gifted and zealous wit-
" nefs of Jefus Chrifl, whom I cannot hear without aftonifh-
*' ment. Abraham is a venerable, manly, and folid Brother,
" preaching to all by his unblameable walk and converfation;
" he is alfo poflefled of gifts to tellify of our Savior with
" energy and power."
At the end of the year 1742 the number of baptized In-
dians in Shekomeko was thirty-one, moft of whom were bap-
tized in that place and a few in Bethlehem, where they fre-
quently viHted,. They were all of ch^ Mahikaodex tribe.
Pa for
$6 Fh-Jl SettlftnetJt of Indian Converts. V. IT.
for the Iroquois feemed more willlnjj at that tune to promote
the Gofpel among others, tlian to receive it themlelves.
About this time the Brethren becanie more than ever
convinced that great caution and circumfpedlion would
be requillte in their labors, for many tribes among
the Indians bore an irreconcileable hatred towards the
Europeans, and were much dreaded by them. For thefe
reafons, a fufpicion might eaflly arife in th.e minds of the
Chriftian magiilratcs, as though the Brethren were fecretly
in league with the lioftile Indians, their conduct towards
them differing fo much from that of other Europeans.
CHAPTER III.
Couni Zinzendorf returns to Europe in the Beginning
of the Year 1743. More Mijpionaries arefent to She ■
komeko. Account of their Manner of living. Firfl
Vifits paid to Fackgatgoch and Potatik. Firfi Cele-
bration of the Lord's Supper^ and Confecration of the
firfl Chapel in Shekomeko. Better Regulations made
for the Service of the Congregation. Endeavors of
fame Enemies to oppofe the Labors of the Brethren
among the Ltdians. Firfi Viftt in Freehold and other
Places.
THE eagerncfs with which the Indians received the Gof-
pel of Jefus Chrift our Savior, foon called for a greater
•number of laborers in this harvefl. But that the Brethren
might everywhere follow the fame principles in fpreading
the Gofpel, and in their attendance upon the baptized among
the different heathen nations, to whom they were fent, Count
Zinzendorf drev/ up fome articles for the inftruaiou of the
miffionaries in general, founded upon the doarines of the
'holy Scriptures, and upon the experience hitherto acquired by
the miifidnaries.
-. • ■ 'lias-
CL. III. Progrefs of the Go/pel at Shehomehoyid'c. 37
This worthy nobleman,having done every thing in his pov/er
towards the converfion of the heathen inNorth A merica,;ind the
furtherance of the Gofpel among them, returned to Europe
in the beginning of the year 1 743. Previous to his departur-c
he fent Brother Jofeph SJvaw to Shekomeko, as fchool-miiitcr
of the Indian childven. Brother Rauch, who had nuirried
in" Bethlehem, returned to Shelomeko, and continued to
labor there jointly with the Brethren Baetiner and Mack.
Not long after, the Brctlnrn Pyrlacus, Senfcrnan, and their
wives, went to ferve the fame miflion, and alfo Frederic Pofi,
who afterwards married a baptized Indian woman. Brother
Buettner and his wife remained in Shekomeko during the
greateft part of the year 1743- The other mifhonaries fpent
mod of that period in viiiting other places, efpecially Wech-
quatnach and Pachgatgoch, the inhabitants having earneftly
and repeatedly defircd the Brethren to come and inftruiSl
them. They freely told the niiffionaries that fome people
in Freehold had offered them rum, if they would kill Brother
Rauch J and expreffed their aftoniilmient, that the white peo-
ple were fo enraged, that the doctrine of Jefus Chrift fnould be ,
preached to the Indians, when they themfelves were amufed
with fo many foolifli things. By this it was evident, that the en-
mity of many fo called Chriftians againft the work of God
among the heathen had not wholly fubfxded ; but the mif-
fionarles were quiet, blefling them that curfed them, yet
never fuffering themfelves to be difturbed in their import-
ant calling, and facrificing every convenience of life to this
bleffed fervice.
They earned their own bread, chiefly by working for the
Indians, though the latter were not able to pay much for the
produce of their labor. They lived and drelTed in the In-
dian manner, fothat in travelling to and fro they were taken
for Indians. But whenever they could not fubfifl by the work
of their own hands, they were provided with the neccflaries
©f life, by the Brethren at Bethlehem.
In their calling and fervice they met wiih much oppofitiofi
and many hard trials. The cunning and power of Satan and
his emilTaries feemed conflantly employed againft them., and
D 3 frequently
38 Pregrefs of the Go/pel at Shehmekot P. II.
frequently brought them into diftrefs and danger. But God
our Savior mightily fupported them, and imparted to them
extraordinary courage anci faith, to refift and deftroy the ma-
chinations of the enemy. Strengthened by many unde-
niable proofs of the power and grace of God, they remained
unfhaken in their refolution to preach the Gofpel with bold-
nefs, fenfible of their own infufficiency, but m humble re-
liance upon the fupport of the Lord, to whom they made
conllant prayer and fupplication, with full aflurance of being
heard. Brother Buettner was once going to vifit fome neigh-
boring heathen, and was fuddenly feized with a vomiting
of blood. He kneeled down, and prayed to the Lord, that
he would ftrengthen him, having a great way to walk before
night. His prayer was heard, and he performed his jour-
ney.
Moft of thofe Indians, who vifited at Shekomeko and
were truly awakened, lived in Pachgatgoch, about twenty
miles from Shekomeko, in Connefticut. They firft ad-
drelTed the magiftrates, and begged for a Chriftian minifter j
but their petition being rejeded, they fent to the Brethren,
begging that a Brother would come, and preach to them
" the fweet words of Jefus." Upon this the miffionary
Mack and his wife went tliither on the 28th of January, and
took up their abode with the captain of the town, whofe
whole family was awakened. The favages received him with
great joy, and obferved, that he and his wife muft love them
very much, to travel fo far to vifit them, in this bad feafon
of the year. Mack aflured them it was foj and then in-
formed them of the aim of his vifit.
During his flay at Pachgatgoch, a man arrived there be-
longing to a feft, called the New Lights, and preached to
the favages full two hours, declaring that God was exceed-
ingly wroth with them, and would fend them all to Hell.
The poor heathen, who were already convinced of, and alarm-
ed at their wretched and forlorn eflate by nature, could
fmd no comfort in this do£lrine, but came to Brother Mack,
tp d^fire, that he would preach tc tliemj adding, that this
white
Ch. III. Pachpafgpch, and Potatlh. ' 39
white man held a clo6lrine different to that preached in
Shekomeko, not fpeakiiTg a word of the blood of Jefus.
When Brother Mack began to fpeak of the happinefd of thofe
who believe in the Lord Jefus, and by him are delivered from
the power of fin and its condemnation, there was a great
emotion among the people, and th.ey obferved among them-
felves, how happy they fliould be, if the Lord would be as gra-
cious to them, as he had been to their countrymen at Sb.ekomeko.
Upon another occafion, when Brother Mack was converfing
with them of our Savior, a woman began to weep bitterly, and
faid : " I knowj that my heart is very bad, but I cannot help
" myfelf." Bi'other Mack pointed out Jefus unto her, as
the only help in time of need, and taking this opportunity to
declare to them, that freedom iiom the dominion of fin was
obtained alone through faith in the crucified Jefus, they all
faid : ** Yes, this is true, this is the right way, of which we
** have hitherto been ignorant : thefe are not mere words,
" they proceed from our teacher's heart."
Their various queflions proved often a welcome oppor-
tunity to bring the Gofpel home to their hearts, and to de-
clare the whole counfel of God concerning their falvation.
This produced fuch an effc£f, that Brother Mack obferved \n
one of his letters : *' I cannot defcribe what thefe people feel,
" when \vt fpeak to them of the Lamb of God and of his fuf-,
" ferings ; they feem all alive, whenever the difcourfe turns
" upon this fubjed." In general, the love of God kindled
in the hearts of many in this place.
From Pachgatgoch Brother Mack went on a vlfit to Po-
tatik, about feventy miles further inland. He had been ex-
prefly invited by the captain of the place, who formerly was
fo violent an enemy to the Gofpel, that he threatened to
tomahawk or flioot any one who fhould dare to fpeak a word
of Jefus Chrift.
Brotlier Mack and his wife left Pachgatgoch on the 4th
of February. At taking leave the people wept, and earneftly
entreated them to x'eturn foon. In Potatik they entered
the. firft hut they arrived at. The Indian received them
in the kindeli manner, and inquired, whether they came from
JP 4 ^hcko-
40 Prognefs of the Gofpel at Shehmeh, P. IL
Shekomeko, adding, that it appeared fo to him by their coun-
tenances. He then told them, that he had begun, about a
year and a half ago, to go to church. Being afked his rea-
fcns for it, he made anfwer, that his late daughter in her lad
illnefs was much afraid of being damned eternally : that
on this account flie had fent for a Chrillian preacher, who
heard her complaints, and then advifed her not to do any
work on Sunday, not to fleal, nor to lie, but to go diligently
to church, and to pray much, and then fhe would become ac-
ceptable to God : that upon this, his daughter addrefled
him, *' Father, I perceive that this advice comes too
** late, for I am now going to die, but you mull not wait
" fo long, elfe you will be alfo loll ;" and foon after ex-
pired : that ever fince that time he had endeavored to do
good ; but found, that he could not well accomplifh it. As to
doing no work on Sunday, this was eafy, but as to the reft,
he could not help tranfgreffing, and that repeatedly. The
preacher, whofe advice he aik;ed, told him that he did not
pome often enough to church. But he found that he always
remained the fame, being like a man chained down, and not
able to move. Brother Mack aflced him, whether he be-
lieved on the Lord Jefus Chrift our Savior .-^ He anfwered,
" No, r cannot fay I do." This gave the miffionary an oppor-
tunity of declaring to him, that if he believed on Jefus Chrift,
the eternal God, who became a man, and redeemed him
from the power of Satan with his own precious blood, then
he would not only become free from flcaling, lying, fwear-
ing, and the like, but be delivered from the dominion of all
fin. He declared, that he had never heard of this before,
exprefled great joy at Brother Mack's arrival in Potatik,
brought him to the other heathen, and gave them an ac-
count of the converfation between him and the miffionary.
Meanwhile a large number afTembled, to whom Brother
Mack made known the aim of his journey, defiring them to
permit him and his wife to live with them in their huts
for a few days. They behaved very friendly, being not able
fufficiently to esprefs their furpvife, that merely on their
account, he fhould have undertaken fo long a journey through
the
Ch. III. Pnchgatgochy end Poiatil. 4!
the woods. Meflengers were immediately difpatclied to
c?.!l the Indians from the neighboring places, and all the
lowns-people aflcmbled in the evening. They aflced many
queftions, and were aflonifhed at all they faw and heard,
but more efpecially, that the miffionary and his wife could
venture to come and eat and fleep with them. They had
already heard of the grace beftowed upon their countrymen
at Shekomeko, and knew how notorioufly wicked the inha-
bitants of that place had formerly been. To this Brother
Mack replied, " It is the defire of the Lord our .Savior to
" grant unto you the fame happinefs, and he requires you
*' only to deliver yourfelves over to him; wretched as you are
*« ho will gladly forgive your fins, deliver you from the yoke
*' of Satan, and make you a people well-pleafing unto him."
They confidered thefe words as being of great importance,
and continued their converfation with the miffionary till mid-
night. As foon as the latter left off fpeaking, they repeated
his words to one another in their own language, adding, that
they had never heard any thing like it. Many of thefe In-
dians fpoke Dutch and Englifh, and the reft converfed with
Brother Mack in their own language, his wife being the in-
terpreter, having been brought up among the Mahikander In-
dians. The day following an Englifh gentleman vlfited the
miflionai-y, and kindly offered him a lodging in his houfe, rc-
prefenting the danger of living conftantly with the Indians.
But Brother Mack anfwered, that having come hither
merely on their account, he wiflied rather to ftay with
them. Some Indians overhearing this converfation, were
greatly furprifed, and told the reft, how much more
the miffionary loved them, than any one bad done before;
adding, that but few people of that defcription were in the
world, and exprelhng their thankfulnefs to the miffionary
and his wife in the kindeft terms. Brother Mack improved
this opportunity to defer ibe the great love of Jefus unto all
men, obferving, that all thofe in whofe hearts the love of
God is ftied abroad, are conftrained to love their feliow-
flien with a true and genuine love. The captain then
came forward, and addrcifcd his people, obferving, that if
they
42 Frogrefs of the Go/pel at Shehmeko, P. II.
they intended to be converted, they fhould do it with their
whole heart, for when he fhould rcfolve upon it, he intended
to do fo. The next day, very early, a woman came to
the mlflionary, and told him, that flie had not flept all
right; for his words had funk into her heart, and made
her uneafy ; that (he therefore confidered this as a fign, that
the Lord intended to make her happy.
Brother Mack was alfo frequently vifited by the Europe-
ans, who were amazed at his intrepidity in dwelling among
the Indians. One of them liflentng to a converfation be-
tween Sifter Mack and the Indian women, afked an Indian
whoftoodby, what he thought of her? His anfwer was:
" She believes what fhe fpeaks j I never heard any one fr-^ak
*' with fuch confidenccj for- her words proceed from her
" heart." Another time, the captain accidentally ftepped
into Brother Mack's hut, Vv'hen fome Europeans were there
on a vifit. He addrefled them immediately: " You ought to
" be aihamed of yourfelves to have been fo long amongft us,
** and never to have told us any thing of what we hear from
** this man. Ele tells us what he has felt in his own heart,
*' fhows us the ftate of our hearts, and hits the mark ex-
" a6lly. But you chatter and read in books, and never do
** the things you preach to others. From him we learn how
*' we may be faved."
To this bold addrefs the Europeans made no anfwer.
Brother Mack alfo vifited the Englifli minifter, who feemed
well pleafed with the labor of the Brethren among the In-
dians.
"When he mentioned his intention to return to Pachgat-
gotch, all the Indian inhabitants afTembled, to take leave of
their guefts. He aflced them, whether they would remem-
ber him in love, but they could hardly make any reply for
weeping. He then kneeled down and prayed for them, re-
commending them to the mercy of God. They wept much,
and faid : *' We feel that we are great finners, and now you
*' go and leave us alone." Having fpoken fome words of
^onfolation, he fet out on his return to Pachgatgoch.
Here
Ch. lit Pachgatp>chy and Potatii. 43
Here he was met by the mlflionary Buettner and the In-
dian Jofliua; and foon after, fix Indians belonging to this
place were baptized. Great grace prevailed among the people,
and, according to the account of the miffionaries, it was evi-
dent that the Holy Ghoft was poured out upon them at their
baptifm. They afterwards fpent great part of the night In
prayer, and in the day-time went about preaching Chrifl to their
own countrymen. Among thofe, who were then baptized, was
the captain of Pachgatgoch, Mawefeman, named Gideon in
baptifm, and afon of the Indian brother Ifaac in Shekomeko.
About two months before, the latter went to vifit his father,
whom he had not feen for eight years. But as he did not relilh
the Gofpel, he foon felt himfelf uneafy at Shekomeko, and re-
tired to Pachgatgoch. Here the awakening had jufl com-
menced, his uneafinefs increafed, and he was no longer
able to refill the grace of God and the power of his word,
but fought and found remiflion of fins in the blood of Jefus.
The edifying example of the fix firlllings at Pachgatgoch
influenced many other Indians. They foon made a vifit in
Shekomeko, accompanied by twenty-feven Indians, both
from Pachgatgoch and Potatik, who came to hear the
** fweet words of life." This enlivened the mifllonaries
greatly, and gave them boldnefs in preaching the Gofpel.
The idea of the firft love, fpoken of in Rev. ii. 4. was
here realized and eminently obvious in the declarations of the
baptized Indians, concerning our Savior and their expe-
rience of his grace, and in their behavior towards each other.
Gideon begged, that a mifiTionary might come to refide in
Pachgatgoch, and four deputies arrived from Potatik to aik
the fame favor. Thisoccafioned Brother Mack to go thither
a fecond time. He found them all very eager to hear the
Gofpel. Above twenty baptized Indians from Sheko-
meko went with him, and were his faithful fellow-labor-
ers. John was remarkably animated, to the adonifliment
of all his countrymen. He had a peculiar gift to render the
fubje£l he was fpeaking upon, clear and perfpicuous. Some-
times he made ufe of figurcsj after the Indian manner. For
inftancc,
44 Pf'^^g^'^fi °f i^^^ Go/pel at S/jekomehf P. II.
inilance, in defcribing the wickednefs of man's heart, he
took a piece of board, and with charcoal drew the figure of
a heart upon it, with ftings and points proceeding in all
dire£tions : "This," faid he, "is the ftate of a man'g
** heart j while Satan dwells in it, every evil thing proceeds
" from it." With Indians, this fimple figure tended more to
illuftrate his difcourfe, than the mod elaborate explanation.
Jofhua and Gideon bore likewife very powerful teftimonics
of the doctrine of our Lord's atonement ; for having an ex-
perimental knowledge of it in their own hearts, they cculd
not hold their peace.
During the time of Brother Mack's fecond vifit in Potatik,
Gideon remained in Pachgatgoch. Here he was one day
attacked by a favage, who, prefcnting his gun to his head,
exclaimed : " Now I will fhootyou, for you fpeak of nothing
** but Jefus." Gideon anfwered : '*IfJefus does not per-
" mit you, you cannot fhoot me." The favage was fo ftruck
with this anfwer, that he dropped his gun, and went home
in filence. During his abfence, his wife had been taken ex-
tremely ill, and as Brother Mack juft then returned to Pach-
gatgoch, the poor favage ran to meet him, begging that he
would come and tell him and his wife fomething of God,
though only two days had elapfed fince he had refolved to
flicot every one who fhould fpeak to him about converfion.
Brother Mask went with him, and found a great number of
Indians gathered together, to whom he and his Indian affift:-
ants, Jofhua and Gideon, preached redemption in Chrift
Jefus with fuch power and un6tion, that the poor people
were greatly affedted.
It M^as a very moving fight, to fee the good people of Pach-
gatgoch take leave of the miflionary and his company. They
all met together, and declared, that though he had been
a fortnight with them, they were yet very hungry after
his words, and then begged, that he would preach to them
once more ; upon which he fpoke for fome time of the power
of the blood of Chrift. When he had finiflied, Jofliua
rofe and continued the difcourfe, and being hindered by his
teats
Ch. III. Pachgatgoch, and Potat'iL 4$
tears from proceeding, Samuel continued, and then Gideon
confirmed it. The emotion among the hearers was fucb,
that Brother Mack declared, he had never feen any tiling
equal to it.
The conference of Elders In Bethlehem, to whom the fu-
perintendency of this miflion was committed, fent now
and then a Brother to vifit the miiHonaries in Shekomekoo
During the courfe of this year, Bifliop David Nltfchman,
and the Brethren Peter Boehler, Anthony SeyfFart, John
Hagen, and Nathanael Seidel, fpent fome time there, and
were filled with wonder and gratitude, in beholding the
powerful eifefts of the fpirit and grace of God among thefe
heathen.
Some years ago, Anthony Seyffart wrote In a letter to me°
" I flill remember with great pleafure what I frequently^
" faw in the year 1 743 at Shekomeko, where the Indians,
" In large bodies, upwards of an hundred in number, upon
" hearing the Gofpel of our Savior, wept over their mifery
** and tranfgreflions, praying for the remiffion of their fins.
^ Thus thofe lines in an ancient hymn were here realized:
*' And tho' a bear, he'sfoften'd to a lamb ;
" Tho' cold as ice, his heart is fct on flame-"'
Some Brethren went alfo from Bethlehem to preach In dif-
ferent Indian towns In the neighboring countries, efpeclaliy
among the Delawares, though at that time they had pofi-
tlvely declared, that they would not hear any thing of the
God of the Chrifiians. We muil here obferve, that during
thefe journies, which were frequently attended with much
fatigue and danger, they were much encouraged and com-
forted by a book In ufe among the Brethren, containing
words of Scripture for each day In the year, which proved
at times very applicable to their circumftances. Two of
thefe meflengers of peace were on one day obliged, both
to pafs through a fored on fire, and to crofs a large
. brook, which had overflowed its banks. The text for that
day was. When thou pajfeft through the waters, I will be with
^ ' thee:
45 Progrefs of the Go/pel at Shehmeh, P. U.
thee: and through the rivers -^ they J/Jcdl ftct overjioiv thee : nvhett
thou nvalkcji through the Jire, thou Jhalt not be burnt; neither
Jhall the fame kindle upon thee: Ifa. xliii. 2. Though thefc
vifits were not produdlive of any immediate good, yet the
kindnefs, with which the Indians were treated by the Brethren,
left a ftrong impreflion upon their minds, and the fruits ap-
peared in due feafon.
The Indian congregation in Shekomeko continued to in-
creafe in number and grace ; there was only one thing want-
ing, namely, the adminiftration of the Holy Communion,
and the miffionaries began to think it wrong to withhold
this great gift, granted by Jefus Chrift himfelf, in his lad tef-
tament, to his whole church, from this congregation of be-
lieving Indians. After much ferious deliberation, ten of the
baptized were nominated to be the firft, who fhould partake
of the Lord's Supper. They were previoufly infkru£led
in the do£lrines contained in tl>e Holy Scriptures, relating
to this facrament, viz. that in the Holy Communion they
partook of the body and blood of Jefus Chrift, according to
his word ; that they were thereby united to him by faith,
and would receive a repeated affurance of the fotgivenefs of
their fins. Then the miffionaries prayed over them, recom-
mending them to the faithful tuition of the Spirit of God,
that he himfelf might prepare their hearts for this blefied
enjoyment.
March the 1 3 th was the great day on which the fir filings of
the Indian nations fhould be admitted to the participation
of this facred repaft. The baptized firft met to partake of a
love-feaft, according to the cuftom of the apoftolic churches,
during which, the great grace already bellowed upon them,
and the future bleffmgs to be imparted unto them by our
Savior, v/ere fpoken of. Afterwards the candidates for the
Lord's Supper had the Pedilavium (John, xiii. 14.), and
having been confirmed with impofition of hands, this fo-
lemn meeting was concluded with the kifs of peace. Then
this fmall congregation of Indians enjoyed the Holy Com-
munion, according to the inflitution of our Lord Jefus Chrill
3 i»
Ch, III. Pachgntgoch, and Potatllk, 47
in remembrance of his death. At this opportunity his di-
vine prefence was felt in fuch a manner, that the hearts of ail
prefent were filled with love and awe ; all were melted into
tears. The miflionary writes : " During the fubfequent meet-
" ing for adoration and thankfgi%'ing, we were overcome with
** weeping, and whilll I live, I fliall never loljb the impref-
*' fion this firft Communion with the Indians in North
" America made upon me."
At the fecond Communion on the 27th of July, twenty-
two Indians were prefent, among whom were fome from
Pachgatgoch. The day following one of diem declared,
that he never thought any one could feel fo happy in this
world; but that he could not find words to exprefs hifi
fenfations. Moll of them made the lame declaration-
The believers being much intent upon forfaking every
thing belonging to, or conne£led with heathenifm, and de-
firing to walk in ail things worthy of dieir heavenly calling
as a church of God, they unanimouily agreed to make eren
more ftatutes and regulations than thofe recommended to them
by Count Zinzendorf, to which every one, who would live
amongft them, fhould conform. And that thefe ftatutes might
be ftri6lly complied with, they appointed Brother Corne-
lius, formerly a captain among the favages, to be overfeer.
Having accepted of the charge, he called the inhabitants
together, explained the ftatutes to them in a very engaging
manner, and after\\Tirds a£led in his capacity as overfeer^
with great faithful nefs and to general fatlsfacSlion. How-
ever, one day, after the Communion, he came and begged to
be difmifled from this office, alletlging, that he had felt fuch
happinefs during the facrament, that he had refolved to re-
tire from all public bufinefs, and to devote his whole time
to an uninterrupted intercouriMS with, our Savior. Never-
thelefs he was eafily perfuaded to keep his poft till another
brother ihould be found to fucceed him, with this condition,
that he fhould no more be called Captain, for, added he, " I
" am the leall amongft my brethren."
In July the new chapel at Shekomeko was finifhed and
confecrated, fome of the elders of the congregation at Beth-
lehem
.4? ProgrefsoftheGofpclat^hehmch^ V.IL
lehem being prefent. This building was thirty feet -long and
twenty broadi and entirely covered with Imooth bark. The
daily meetings were now regulated in a better manner. The
congregation ufually met every forenoon to hear a'difcourfc
delivered upon fome text of Scripture. Every evening' an
hymn was fung. A monthly prayer-day was likewifc' efla-
blilhed, on which, accounts were read" concerning the pro-
grefs of the Gofpel in different parts oF the- world, and ,
.prayer and fupplication made unto God for all men, with
thankfgiving. The prayer-days were peculiarly agreeable '
to the Indians ; efpecially becaufe they heard, jhat they were
remembered ia prayer by fo many children of God in other ,
places. Both on thefe days, and on all" Sundays and feftival
days, Shekomeko feemed all alive, and it may be- fa id with-
truth, that the believers Ihowed forth the death of the Lord,
■both early and late. One day above one hundred .favages
came thiiher on a vifit, and one of the miflionaries. obfervcd,
that wherever two were (landing and cbnverfing together,
our Lord Jefus, and his love to finners, as the caiife of hi.s
bitter fufferings, was the fubje(fb of converfation. The zeal
of the baptized Indians in teftifying of oUr Savior was
fuch, that they were thus employed even till after mid-
night.
The miiTionaries were alfo daily excited to, thank and.
praife God, for the manifold proofs of the labor of his Spi-
rit in the hearts of the Indian Brethren and Sifters. Abra-
ham, Ifaac, Jacob, and John, and their wives, v/ere' well efta-
blifhed in the principles of the Chrillian faith, and obferved
all the inftruftions given in the Scriptures concerning holy
matrimony, how in that (late they fhould conduft them-
felves according to the will of God. Even when any of
them difpleafed the miffionaries by improper conduct, the
latter were often comforted, by feeing their readinefs to
acknowledge their fault, and their defire to be led again into
the right way. Jonathan fpent feveral days in great un-
cafinefs. He had had a difpute with forae of his brethren,
and though he was willing to afk pardon of the Lord, yet
he could not be fatisfied,- but whenever he prayed to him,
was
Ch. Iir. Pachgatgoch, and PotatTk. 49
was always led in liis heart to own his fault before his bre-
thren. At lafl he did fo, and this circumilance taught him
to know himfelf flill better. Another baptized Indian had
fuffered himfelf to be feduced to drunkennefs by fome wicked
Indians. The v/hole congregation were grieved on this ac-
count; but the Brethren were defired in the public meeting,
not to treat their brother harfhly, but rather to recommend
him in prayer to the pardon and mercy of Jefiis; as he moft
fmcerely repented of his fault. After fome days, he was allured
of the forgivenefs of the congregation, and readmitted to their
fellowHiip. An old Indian, called Solomon, who was
awakened, but could not fubmit to own himfelf fo great a
fmner as he really was, removed with his whole family from
Shekomeko, promifing to return, perhaps in three weeks.
But that fame evening he came back, and declared, that he
could not leave the place •, upon which the Indians obferved
to one another, that Solomon could not run away from our
Savior. Jonas, whofe wife was ftill unbaptized, and had re-
folved to leave him, alked the miflionaries, how he fhould
condu£l himfelf in this cafe, promifing to follow their advice,
as a child. He was advifed to behave with meeknefs and
kindnefs, but yet to (how firmnefs in his condu£l towards
her, and John was defired to fpeak to tl;e woman, and to
perfuade her to return to her huiband. This had fo good
an efFe6V, that fhe faid, " It is true, my heart is fo bad, that
*' I muffc do evil, tliough I would not." John having told
her with great energy how ihe might be delivered from that
evil heart, fhe returned, (laid with her hufband, and fome
time after was truly converted to the J:.ord.
Shekomeko was nowfulficiently fuppljed with miflionaries i
but that nothing might be negle6led in Pachgatgoch,
Brother Martin Mack and his wife removed thither, built
an Indian hut of bark, and being furrounded on all fides with
hills and rocks, frequently called to mind the favorite lines,
fung by the ancient Bohemian Brethren :
Part II, E « The
50 Pf^gf'ff^ of the Go/pel at Shehmch, P. IT.
" The rugged rocks, the dreary wildernefs,
*' Mountains and woods, are our appointed place,
" 'Midft ftorms and waves, on heathen fhores unknown,
*' We have our temple, and fei-ve God alone."
Yet for the Lord's falic, lie and his wife were contented?
to live hei-e in poveity, and gladly to fuffer hardflnps. But
the great awakening in Pachgatgoch foon raifed the at-
tention of the wlx)le neighborhood, efpeciaily of forne white
people, wTio did evei-y thing in their pow^er to feduce the
Indians to forfake the Brethren. For having been accuftom-
ed to make the diifolute life of the Indians, and chiefly
their love of liq^uor fubfervient to their advantage ; they
were exceedingly provoked", when they faw, that the Indians
began in truth to turn from their evil doings, and to avoid
all thofe (inful pradVices, whfch had hitherto been fo pro-
fitable to tbe traders. They firil fpread every kind of evil
report againft the miflionary and his intentions, and {inding-
that thefe were not liftened to, they perfuaded a clergyman
of the church of England in the neighborhood, to join iit
their meafures. A parifh overfeer was therefore fent to
tell the Indians, that they fhould fend to New England for
a miniller and fchoolmafter, and that the governor would
pay their falarie£. To this, the Indians anfwered, that they
had. teachers already, with whom they were well fatrsfied,
and upon the overfeers obferving, that the Brethren preach-
ed falfe dodtrine, they replied: " You never difturb your
" people in their way of living, let it be ever fo Hnful, and
** therefore do not dlilurb us, but fuffer u:s to live as we
" are taught. T)iere are many churches hi your towns,
" and various feels, each of whom calls the do£lrine it pro-
*' feffes, the only right way to- l^eaven, and yet you grant
'^^ them fuUliberty, ttKrefore, permit us likewife to believe
" what we pleafe, though you fliould not think it right.'*
This anfwcr only tended the more to enrage the adverfaries.
TLey publicly branded the Brethren with the names of pa-
pifts and traitors, and the millienaries Mack, Shaw, and Pyr-
laeus (the two latter being on a vifit in Pachgatgoch), were
taken
Ch-. III. PachgaigOch^and Potatil. 5 1
taken up as paplfts, and dragged up and down the country
for three days, till the governor of Connedicut, hearing
their cafe, honorably difmiffed them. Yet their accufers
infifted on their being bound over in a penalty of lool.
to keep the laws of the country. Being not fully acquainted
with all the fpecial laws of the province, they perceived
the trap laid for them, and thought it moil prudent to
retire to Shekomeko. Many of the believing Indians fol-
lowed them, and the reft made repeated vifits to the mifli-
onaries. However,J3rotherMack'swifeventured, fome months
after, to go on a vifit to the Indian women at Pachgatgoch.
Here fhe heard, that the enemies continued to take much
pains to entice the Indians to forfake their connexion with
the Brethren, and to deGft from going to Shekomeko. One
of them endeavored to reprefent it as great folly in them,
to fatigue themfelves by fo long a journey, when, if they would
come to hear him preach, he would even give them money.
Gideon anfwered : *' We do not defire to hear your words
*' for money ; I and my friends feek the falvation of our
*' fouls, and on this account, the road to Shekomeko never
*' feems too long, for there we hear the enlivening words of
« the Gofpel."
Meanwhile the mifllonary Ranch had vifited the country
about Albany, Shochary, and Canatfhochary on the North
River, and on the 23d of Auguft arrived at Freehold, where
he found a large company of Indians gathered around a
dying perfon. As foon as the patient heard that a teacher
had arrived from Shekomeko, he exhorted his countrymen
to hearken to his words, and addrefling the mifllonary, be*
queathed to him his hut in cafe of his death, which hap-
pened that fame night. Brother Rauch having made known
the aim of his coming, the Indians held a council, and fent
him v/ord, that they had refolved to intreat him to dwell
with them, and to inftru£l them in the knowledge of God j
for that they had long wiihed to become like the people in
Shekomeko. He immediately began to tell them of the
iove of God our Savior to loft fmners, and of the fufferings
E 2 and
$t Progrefs of the Go/pel at Shehmeh, ¥. H.
and death of Jefus. Some fmiled, others were ftlll, and
feemed ftruck with wonder- But about three weeks after>
fonie white people carrve and endeavored to irritate the minds
of the Indians againd him. They even diftributed rum
amongft them, with a view that in a drunken frolic they
might fet their dogs at the mifhonary, or even kill him:
and though the favages refufed to do this, yet they loft their
confidence. Brother Rauch having being defcribed as a de-
ceitful and dangerous man. Notwithftanding all this op-
pofition, fome of the moft favage of thefe Indians were
gained for the Lord. One of them publicly burnt his idols,
and in a fpeech delivered to his countrymen on tliis occr.fiony
lamented his fornier blindnefs and ignorance of the true
God, exhorting them all to furrender their hearts to the
Lord Jefus. His difcourfe was fo full of energy, that many
were ftruck with conviftion, and fome became truly con-
cerned for the falvation of their fouls. Towards the clofe
of the year, feveral of the inhabitants of Freehold were
made partakers of the grace of God ; but others, not con-
ceiving how fuch a change could poflibly be wrought in
man, i'ufpedled Brother Rauch of forcerv, and that he could
make people like himfelf, by fome kind of magic fpell.
Amidft all thefe endeavors to convert the Mahikander and
Delaware nations, the Iroquois were not forgotten. But a
thorough knowledge of the Maquaw or Mohawk language
being required, to be able to preach the Gofpel to them.
Brother P'yrlaeus went to Tulpehokin, where he remained
three months with Conrad Weifler to fludy this language,
and afterv/ards moved with his wife into the interior part
of the Iroquois country, and took up his abode with the
Engli fh miillonary, in juntarogu. Conrad Weifler had an
inclination to follow him, and, on his way, called at Sheko-
ineko. He was a man polTefled of a thorough knowledge of
the- Indians and their manners, and though willing to affifl^
had ^ways doubted the pofTibility of their converfion. His
aftbnifliment at what he faw and heard in this place, is evi-
dent from the following letter v/rittesi to Brother Buettner,
6 miihonary
Ch. III. Pachgatgoch^ and Potatih 53
niiflionary at Shekomeko : " I was very forry not to have
** feen you at Shekomeko, owing to your indifpofition. But
*' the pleafure I felt, during my abode there, has left a deep
*' impreffion upon me. The faith of the Indians in our
" Lord Jefus Chrift, their fimplicity and unaffected deport-
** ment, their experience of the grace procured for us by
*' the fufFerings of Jefus, preached to them by the Brethren,
'* has imprefled my mind with a firm belief, that God is
*' with you. I thought myfelf feated in a company of pri-
*' mitive Chriftians. The old men fat partly upon benches,
** an. I partly upon the ground for vi^ant of room, with great
*' gravity and devotion, their eyes ftedfaftly fixed upon their
*' teacher, as if they would eat his words. John was the
''. interpreter, and acquitted himfelf in the beft manner.
*' I elleem him as a man anointed with grace.- and fpirit.
*' Though I am not well acquainted with the Mahikander
*' language, yet their peculiar manner of delivery renders
" their ideas as intelligible to me, as to any European in this
*' country. In fhort, I deem it one of the greateft favors
" beftowed upon me in thje life, that I have been at Sheko-
*' meko. That text of Scripture, " Jefus -Chrift, the fame
*' yefterday, and to-day, and for ever," appeared to me as an
*' eternal truth, when I beheld the venerable patriarchs of
*' the American Indian church fitting around me, as living
*' v/itnefTes of the power of our Lord Jefus Chrift, and of his
*' atoning facrifice. Their prayers are had in remembrance
" in the fight of God, and may God fight againft their
*' enemies. May the Almighty give to you and your af-
" fiftants an open door to the hearts of all the heathen. This
.*' is the moft earneft wifh of your fincere friend,
*' Conrad Weisser."
Brother Pyrlaeus did not meet with the reception he might
have expelled from the Engllfli mifhonary. This gentle-
man's mind had been already influenced againft the Bre-
thren, and therefore, from the beginning, he ftarted many
difEcultieSj and then told him without referve, that he could
E -i not
X4 Progyefs of the Gofpel at Shekomeho, bfc. V. II.
not affifl: him in his endeavors without expofmg himfelf to
fevere reproof; that as to himfelf, he was weary of his labor
among the Indians, their language being fo difficult, that
after many years ftudy he found himfelf unable to preach
in it ; that he therefore had only written a few fermons
with the affiftance of a friend, which he read to the Indians
now and then, but without obferving the leaPc change in
their condu£l:, for they would not even leave off drinking,
and painting their faces. Pyrlaeus finding himfelf narrowly
watched on all fides, and his prefence not agreeable, re-
moved to another place about thirty miles off, where he found
more opportunity of fludying the language, though ob-
liged to fubmit to great hardfliips. For example ; he and
his wife lived in an houfe, in which they flept for a whole
fortnight upon the bare ground, without the leaft cover-
ing. They were likewife continually tormented by all
kinds of vermin and troublefome infe61:s. But their love
to the Indians made them willingly bear all thefe incon-
veniences. Sometime after, Pyrlaeus was invited to a con^
ference in Shekomeko, and accompanied Brother Anthony
SeyfFart to Canatfhochary, with a view to make further
progrefs in the Mohawk language. From Bethlehem, Brother
Bruce and his wife went to Otflonwackin, where they ftaid
one month, and on their return exprefled fome hopes, that
the inhabitants of that town were inclined to receive the
Gofpel.
Brother Senfeman went from Shekomeko up the North
River, where he vifited Sohekants and Skathkak, and his words
found entrance into the hearts of fome. For all thefe en-
deavors the Brethren thought themfelves amply rewarded
by the fuccefs of the miffion in Shekomeko j where, at the
clofe of the year 1743, the congregation of baptized Indians
confifled of fixty-three perfons, exclufive of thofe in Pach-
gatgoch, and a great number of conftant hearers, fome pf
whom were powerfully awakened.
Ch. iVo jPerfectttion of the Aliffionariei, SS
CHAPTER IV.
Severe Perfeciition of the Mijfionaries, a?id of the Con^
gregation at Shekomeko, Their Condud under thefe
Trials,
HITHERTO the labor of the Brethren , ^mong the
heathen had met with no oppofition of any confe-
quence, and in the firft months of the year 1 744, the church
liad reft and was edified. Shekomeko being the chief re-
fidence of the beUevers, frequent vifits were made to this
■place from the awalcened people in Pachgatgoch and Po-
itatik, which were returned at >diiFerent times by the miffioa-
aries, and their Indian afiiiiants.
Brother Buettner was from January till May In Bethle-
iiem, and Frederick Pod was recalled.
The miffionaries Mack, Shaw, and Senfeman, ferved the
Indian cong<r£gation in Shekomeko, and their diary contains
-many pleafing proofs of the bleficd eiFe6ls of the grace of
Jefus Chrift in the hearts of the believing Indians, of which
i will quote a few :
A Tick brother fald, that, whenever he felt Impatience,
he prayed to our Savior to deliver him from it, and that his
yrayer was alv/ays heard.
Jonathan meeting fome white people, who had entered
into fo violent a difpute about baptifm and the Holy Commu-
jnion, that they at iaft proceeded to blows, " Thefe people,**
iaid he, " know ccTtainly nothing of our Savior, for they
" fpeak of him, as we do of a ftrange country."
A trader was .endeavoring to perfuade the Indian Brother
Abraham, that the Brethren were not privileged teachers.
He anfwered : " They may 'be what they will, but I know
^' what they have told me, and what God has wrought with-
'•' in me. Look at my poor countrymen there, lying drunk
<^ before yo.ur door. Why do you not fend privileged teachers,
1:4 "to
^^6 Perfecution of the Mtjfionarm. P. il.
" to convert them, if they can ? Four years ago I -alfo lived
" like a beaft, and not one of you troubled himfelf about
** me j but when the Brethren came, they preached the crofs
" of Chrill, and I have experienced the power of his blood,
" according to their do£l:rine, fo that I am, freed from the do-
** minion of fin. Such teachers we want."
In February fome Indian deputies arrived in Shekomeko
from Weilenhuck, to inquire whether the believing Indians
would live in frlendfhip with the new chief. Upon this the
Indian Brethren preached the word of God to thefe people,
adding : *' When we once fhall all believe in our Savior,
" thefe embalTies will be unneceffary, for we fliall be very
*' good friends of courfe."
An Indian woman, who was baptized by a preacher in
Weftenhuck, paid a vifit to the believers in Shekomeko, and
told them, that not having been guilty of any open offence
for two years after her baptifm, fhe thought herfelf tho-,
roughly converted. But by the perfuafions of her relations,
who reprefented to her that dancing v/as no crime, the
preacher himfelf having quoted from Scripture, that there
was " a time to dance," fhe had at length been perfuaded to
attend an Indian feafl, where (he was overcome by wanton-
iiefs, and had ever fince led a fliameful life. Alarmed at
her fituation, flie came hither to feek for help, if any might
be found. The Indians defcribed to her the great love of
Jefus Chrift to"'poor repenting finners, exemplified in the
hiftory of Mary Magdalene.
The Indian Brother Daniel was aflced upon his death-bed,
whether he was contented to die ? To this he anfwered, with
a fmile, " that he was fatisfied with whatever our Savior
" fhould do with him." During his whole illnefs he preached
the Gofpel to his countrymen, and his happy departure to
the Lord produced a great emotion in the hearts of all pre-
fent. The whole congregation in Shekomeko accompaniecf
his corpfe to the grave, and the miffionary having prayed the
liturgy as ufual, the Indian John ftepped forward and de-
livered an emphatic difcourle to the company prefcnt, con-
cerning
-Ch. IV. Perfecutlon of the Mijftonarles. ^y
cernlng the joy of a believer in the hour of death, which
made a great impreflion upon all.
In the fame manner feveral of the baptized departed this
life in this year, rejoicing In God their Savior, and their
happy exit proved a great comfort and edification to the fur-
vivors.
The Indian congregation confided now of four clafTes ;
communicants, baptized, candidates for baptifm, and cate-
chumens ; and the Lord laid a peculiar bleffing upon each of
them. The Holy Communion was very highly prized by
the communicants, as the mofl important of all tranfactions
on earth. They examined their ov»m hearts, preparatory to
every enjoyment, with fuch ftriftnefs, that the miffionaries
who fpoke with each individual feparately, found more caufe
to comfort and encorage them, than to advife them to ab-
ftain from it. John exprefled himfelf concerning this fa-
crament to the following effe£l: : " That as he could firmly
" believe in every thing fpoken by our Savior, fo he was fure
" that he partook of his fiefli and blood in the .Holy Com-
*' munion, becaufe the Lord himfelf had declared it." An-
other communicant faid : " I am frequently brought very
*' low by the confideration of my great weaknefs and finful-
'* nefs, but u^henever I approach to the Lord's Supper, I
*' am revived." An European man being once prefent as a
fpe£lator when the facrament was adminiftered to the Indian
congregation, declared afterwards, that though he had re-
ceived the Communion many hundred times, yet he had
never perceived its powerful effeft on the heart, as at this
time, though only a fpedator ; adding, that this was truly
the fupper of the Lord, and that, whilft he lived, he fhould
never lofe the imprefilon it had made upon him.
Thus was the Indian congregation fituated, when fud-
<3en]y a moft violent perfecution arofe^ Some white people
in the neighborhood continued to do every thing in their
power to feduce the Indians from their connexion with the
Brethren, not only by bafe infinuations, but by endeavoring
to promote drunkennefs and ether crimes amongfl them.
The
5? Perfemiion of the MiJJionarhj. P. If.
The moft dangerous of all their infinuations was, that the
Brethren, beuig allied to the French in Canada, fomented
the diflurbances which then took place, and n:i tended to fur-
Jiifh the Indians with arms, to fight againft the Englifh, This
faUehood they fpread about with fuch boldnefs, that at laft
the whole country was alarmed and filled with terror. Tlic
inhabitants of Sharen remained under arms for a whole
week together, and fome even forfook theii- plantations.
March the ifl, Mr. Hegeman, juftice of the peace in Fil-
Icentown, arrived in Shekomeko, and informed Brother Mack,
that it was his duty to inquire, what fort of people the Br&-
thren were, for that themofk dangerous tenets and views were
afcribed to them. He added, that as to himfelf, he difbe-
Jieved all thofe lying reports concerning themj and acknow-
ledged the miffion in Shekomeko to be a work of God, be-
caufe, by the labor of the Brethren, the moft favage heathen
had been fo evidently changed, that he, and many other
Chriftians, were put to fliame by their godly walk and con-
verfation: but that, notvirithftanding Jiis own perfuafion,
it would be of fervice to the Brethren themfelves, if he was
fuffered minutely to examine into their affairs, with a view
to filence their adverfaries. Hearing that Brother Buettner
was abfent, he only defired that he might be informed of
his return, and thus left them. After that, the Brethren
remained unmolefled till May, when Brother Buettner re-
turning to Shekomeko, the miffionaries informed the juftice
of the peace of his arrivaL Upon this, a corporal came oh
the 1 4th, to demand their attendance on ihc Friday following
in, Pickipfi, about thirty miles off, to exercife with the mili-
tia. Biit tlieir names not being inferted in the lift, they did
not appear. Soon after, a fimilar meffage being fent, and
the names of the miflionaries Ranch, Buettner, and Shaw
€xprefsly mentioned, Brother Buettner went fome days pre-
vious to the time appointed, to Captain Herrman in Reinbeck,
and reprefented to him, that as minifters called to preach
the Gofpel to the heathen, they ought to be exempted from
jfniiitary fervices. The captain replied, that they would be
under
Ch. rV. Perfecutlon of th Miffionaries. 59
under a neceflity to prove and fwear to the validity of tlicir
calling; but dirmiffed them for the prefent. On the 1 8th
of June another fummons was iflued, to require their at-
tendance on the 23d. The day following a jullice of the
peace, with fome officers and twelve men, arrived from
Pickipfi at Shekomeko. He informed the miffionaries, that
two companies had been ready to march, to arreft them, but
that he had prevented it, with a view to examine the whole
uffair himlelf. He then defired to know who had fent them,
and v/hat their bulinefs was ? Brother Buettner replied.
That they were lent hither by the bifhops of the proteftant
church of the Brethren to preach the Gofpel to the hea-
then. The juftice obferved, that though he confidered the
accufations brought agaiull them, refpe£ling the Indians, t9
be groundlefs ; yet if the Brethren were papifts, as a clergy-
man in Dover had pofitively afli^rted in a letter but lately-
written, they could not be fufFered to remain in the coun-
try; and that, in general, every inhabitant of this land was
called upon to take two oaths, of which he delivered a
written copy. One was: "That King George being the
*' lawful fovereign of the kingdom, he would not in any
*' way encourage the Pretender." The other : *'• That he
*' rejefbed tranfubftantiation, the worffilp of the Virgin
*• Mary, purgatory, &c." Brother Buettner affiared him,
that the miffionaries could affent to every point contained
in the oaths, but that he hoped, they would not infift upon
their fwearing j for though he did not condemn thofe who
took a lawful oath, yet he wifhed, for confcience fake, to be
cxcufed ; that he would however fubmit to every punifh-
ment inflicted upon perjured perfons, if he were found
a-6t;ing contrary to his afleveration made by Tes or No. The
juftice expreffed his fatisfa^lion for the prefent, but engaged
the miffionaries in a penalty of 40I. to appear before the court
in Pickipfi on the 16th of 0£l:ober. He then vifited the
Chriftian Indians in their plantations, and took leave with
much civility.
June
6o Perfeciition of the Mijftonar'ies. P. II.
June 22d, the miffionaries went to Reinbeck in obedience
to the fummons received. As they were fetting out, John
faid: "Go, Brethren, go in peace; I know to whom you
" are going, but our Savior is greater than they." They
were now called upon in public court to prove that they were
privileged teachers. Buettner produced .his.vnritten vocation,
and his certificate of ordination, duly figned byBifhqp Da-
vid Nitfchman, adding, that the proteftant church of . the
Brethren had been declared by the- Arclxbifhop of Canter-
bury to be an epifcopal and apoftolicaL church .; and therefore
they hoped, that they were entitled to the fame toleration
enjoyed by other proteftant communities. All thefe evi-
dences being rejected by the court, Buettuer added : " Well
" then. Sir, if our finccre verbal declarations, proved by
*' written documents and teftimonies, that we have demeaned
** ourfelves amongft the favages as Proteftant teachers, do
*' not fufHce ; and you are ignorant of the tenets of our
"church, and do not chufe to grant us the fame privileges
** which other Proteftants enjoy j we fubmit, and you have
*' power to di£late ourpunifliment, for we are fubje£l to the
*' magiftrates, and cannot oppofe them, nor would we, if we
*' even could. We rather chufe patiently to fufFer." This
firm declaration had fome effedl upon the commander of the
militia and the juftice, Mr. Beckman. He allured the mif-
lionaries, that he had no idea of punifliing them, but only
wifhed to examine into 'their affairs, and therefore defired
them to appear before the court to be held at Pickipfi in Oc-
tober next, by order of the governor of New York. He
then invited them to dinner, and difmifled them with much
civility.
But the accufations of their enemies increafing very
faft, and a great ftir being raifed among the people, the
magiftrates thought proper to haften the examination, and th«
miffionaries were obliged to appear in Filkentown on the
14th of July, their friend John Rau kindly accompanying
them. They were firft called upon to take their oath ; but
they remained ftedfaft in their requeft to be excufed. Tiiree
witnefies
Cli. rV. Pa-fetution of the Mtjfianaries. 6 1
witnefles were then heai-d againft them. But their evidence
being partly without foundation, and partly nugatory and
trifling, it made no impreflion upon the court. John Rau
was next examined. He anfwered, that he had known the
Brethren from their firfl coming into the country, and could
fay nothing but what tended to their honor ; that he had
frequently been prefent with his whole family at their meet-
ings, and had never feen any thing to juftify the ftrange ac-
cufations brought againft them. Upon this the court broke
up, and they were again honorably acquitted.
Meanwhile the adverfaries of the Brethren had repeatedly
accufed them of the above-mentioned dangerous views before
the then governor of New York, till he at length refolved
to fend for them, and to examine into the truth of thefe re-
ports. The Brethren, Buettner and Senfeman from She-
komeko, and Shaw from Bethlehem, went accordingly to
New York, and found upon their arrival, that the -attention
of the whole town was raifed. They were regarded as dif-
turbers of the public peace, deferving either imprifonment^
v/hipping, or banifhment. But Mr. Beckman, v/ho had ex-
amined the Brethren in Reinbeck, happening at that time to
be in New York, publicly took their part, and affirmed, that
the good done by them among the Indians was undeniable.
Auguft nth, thefe three Brethren were ordered before the
governor and the court, and each feparately examined. The
fame queftions were put, and nearly the fame anfv/ers given,
as in the foregoing examinations. But at the clofe Brother
Buittner addreflcd the governor to this efFeft : " We are fub-
*' jeft to God and the magiftrates, and would rather patiently
" fufFer than oppofe them. But our caufe is the caufe of
" God, to whom the fouls of all men belong. For his fake
*' we live among the favages, to preach the Gofpel of Jefus
*' Chrift unto them. We neither defire to gain money, nor-
*' covet their land, nor fliall we ever have thefe views. The
*' Lord our Savior has fupported us hitherto, and he will
*' fupport us for the future : for we are in liis hands, and
" place unlimited confidence in him, being affured, that
" nothing
C'i Perjecuiion of the Mlffionaym, p. If.
*' nothing can befall us, without Iiis permiflion. By him
" we have been taught to be faithful and obedient to thofe
" whom he has appointed to rule over us, not from motives
** of policy, but for confcience fake. Hitherto we have led
" under them a quiet and peaceable life in all godlinefs
**■ and honefly, and we wifh always to do fo. But we are
" "refolved to fuffer every thing rather than to aft contrary
" to our conviction. We therefore humbly intreat your Ex-
" cellency not to burthen our confciences by the exaction
" of an oath, and to confider, that though we are poor peo-
** pie, and fuffer contempt and every other affli6tioiij yet we
" {land under the prote6lion of God, who is Lord over the
" confciences of all men. "We alfo pray mod earneftly, that
** we may be allowed to proceed unmolefted in the bleffed
*' work of the converfion of the heathen, promifing to (how
** all due obedience and fubordination to your Excellency
" upon every occafion, as we are in duty and confcience
** bound to do." Upon this the Brethren were informed
that they fhould remain in town, till further orders from the
governor.
The day following they were examined by the council
upon the fame queftions, and notwithflanding Brother Buett-
ner's gentle remonftrance, were informed, that it appeared
moft proper for them to quit the country. They fliould
however ftill wait for a final decifion from the governor.
This they received by his fecretary, Auguft the 2 ill, imply-
ing, that they had leave to return home, but fliould live
according to their religious tenets, in fuch a manner, that
no fufpicions might arife concerning them. The fecretary
added a certificate of their acquitment in writing, to fecure
them againft any injury from the mob.
The Brethren Buettner and Shaw arrived in Shekomeko,
on the 9th of September ; but Brother Senfeman went to
Bethlehem, to give an account of the above-mentioned tranf-
a£lions.
Brothei" Buettner was hov/ever obliged to go again to Pic-
klpfi in October, the fummons being yet in force. He had
already
CIi. rV. Ferfecution of the Miffionar'teu €^..
already fuffcred greatly in his health, and was detained there
two days in very fevere weather. At laft, by the interfer-
ence of a friend, his caufe was brought forward, and
having received a difmiflion from the governor himfelf^
be was Hberated for the prefenf, without further examin-
ation. When he came home, John related what he had
felt, in confsdering the proceedings of the white people, and
Itow his wife, thinking of Brother Buettner, while at work
in the foreft, at length grew fo heavy and forrovvful that
file wept, and cried aloud : "My God, why do thefe men
" plague Brother Buettner ? why will they not let him come
*' home ? He is ill, has done nothing amifs, and inllruQs
** us how we may be faved." John added, that he had com-
forted his wife, and reminded her, that the difciples of
Jefus had not fared any better.
The Brethren Mack and Senfeman vifited the Indians
in New England, and it appeared as though many of them
received the Gofpel as a melTage of peace.
It now appeared plain to every candid obferver, that the
accufations againft the Brethren arofe either from mifcon-
ception or malice. Many people, and even fome of dif-
tinguifhed rank among the, magiftrates, acknowledged the
fincerity of their views, and - the good arifing from their
endeavors ; for the preaching of the Gofpel had produced
fo evident a change in the condu6l of the Indians, that every
beholder was amazed at it. Their adverfaries therefore
were obliged to adopt other meafures, and now endeavor-
ed, either to make them take the oaths, or quit the country.
This fcheme fucceeded. They exerted all their influence
to gain an a£l of aflembly in New York, dated in 0£tober,
by which all fufpicious perfons were enjoined to take
the oaths of allegiance, and in cafe of refufal, to be expelled
the province. Another a£l: paffed, pofitively prohibiting the
Brethren to inftruct the Indians.
The millionarics could do nothing but filcntly obey, and
thus left off meeting the congregation. But the Indian
Brethren continued to meet together, and the power and
grace
64 Perfeciition of the Ml/Jtonaries^, P. 11,
grace of God was made manlfeil among tuem in an extraor-
dinary manner.
December the i5;th, the fheriiF and three juftices of the
peace arrived at Shekomeko, and, in the name of the go-
vernor and council of New York, prohibited all meetings
of the Brethren, commanding the miflionaries to appear be-
fore the court in Pickipfi, on the 17th inftant. Brother
Buettner being very ill, the Brethren Rauch and Mack ap-
peared, when the above-mentioned z€t was read to them,
by which the minifters of the congregation of the Brethren,
employed in teaching the Indians, were expelled the coun-
try, under pretence of being in league with the French,
and forbid, under a heavy penalty, never more to appear
among the Indians, without having firft taken the above-
mentioned oaths of allegiance. Buettner wrote in this view
to Bethlehem : " We are either to depart, or to incur a
" heavy penalty. They threaten to feize upon all we pof-
" fefs. We have but little, and if they take away that
" little, then we fhall yet have as much left as our Lord had,
" when on earth."
Amidft thefe heavy trials the Brethren found great com-
fort in adhering to that Scriptural advice : quietly to. M'ait
for the falvation of the Lord. Therefore when the fathers
of families in Shekomeko refolved to make complaint con-
ceniing the unjuft treatment of their teachers, and to pre-
fent a petition to the governor of New York; the mif-
fionaries perfuaded them with kind words, to be ftil!, and
patiently to fufFer.
Meanwhile Bifhop A. G. Spangenberg, to •whom the
care of the affairs of the Brethren in North America had been
committed, arrived in New York. His firft flsp was, to vifit
the perfecuted congregation at Shekomeko. He arrived
Vv'ith Captain Garrifon on the 6th of November, and flaid
there till the 18th. In an account he fent to the congrega-
tions of the Brethren concerning this vifit, he writes :
" The nearer we approached to Shekomeko, the more vene-
" ration we found amongdall ranks of pecplcjfor thegreat work
" of
CIi. IV. Perfecution of the MiJJlonanes. 65
« of God in that place. The juflice of the peace at Milfy,
" about four miles from Shekomeko, accompanied us, and
" on the road declared, that he would rather fuffer his tight
" hand to be cut off, than treat the Brethren conformably
*' to the a£l: pafled againft them, for that he was thoroughly
" convinced, that the grace of God had by their means
*' wrought miracles in that place* But when, upon our
" arrival, we were eye-witnefles of it, then, dear Brethren,
" dead indeed muft that man be, who could refrain from
" fhedding tears of joy and gratitude for the grace beftow-
*' ed upon this people. It is impoffible to exprefs what is felt
*' here •, God himfelf has done the work. As we rode into
" the town, we met a man (landing by the road fide, with
" a moft remarkable countenance. We immediately thouglit
** of John, as defcribed to us by Count Zinzendorf, and
" ventured to addrefs him by that name ; nor were we mif-
" taken; he received us with great kindnefs, and "brought
*' us immediately to the miffionaries. Then the venerable
*' Elder Abraham came to fee us, faluted us, and though he
** was marked after the Indian cuftom, with the figure of a
" fnake upon each cheek, yet the grace of our Savior was
*' fo vifible in his countenance, that we were (truck with awe
" and amazement. The reft of the alfiftants came one
*' after the other, and bid us welcome in the moft afFec-
" tionate manner. Indeed there v/as not one of the con-
" gregation, who did not exprefs joy at our arrival. They
*' appeared altogether as meek as lambs. V/hiie we were
*' thus furrounded by our Indian Bretlu'en and Sifters, I took
*' up a Bible, and the following text occurred to me : Who-
^^ feever fjall do the tvill of my Father which is in Heave fi^ the
^^ fame is my mother^ and ffer^ and brother. An Indian who
*' had deviated from, the right path, wifhed to be re-ad-
** mitted, but the Brethren could not truft him as yet.
" When we afterwards held a love-feaft with all the bap-
" tized, feventy in number, he came likewife, ftood at a dif-
** tance, and looked upon his Brethren with repentance and
*' contrition in his countenance. We called him forward,
Part II. F ♦< upon
66 Perfecut'ion of the Mijjtonaties. P. II.
" upon which he went and fat down m a corner. Durhig
'■• the love-feafl, the prefence of the Lord was powerfully
*' felt. I fpoke of the happinefs granted unto us, by virtue
*' of the facrifice made by jefus Chrifl, appealing, to their
" ov/n experieiKe, and they affirmed what I faid, to be true.*
" I then fpoke of following our Savior's fleps, and of
" what we have to obferve as his difciples. j\fterwards
" Ifaac exhorted the Brethren to be continually humble and
*' low in their own eyes, never to forget the fufiferings and
" death of Jefus. and not only to think on it in Shekonieko>
*' but in the woods, and when out an-hunting, &c. We
*' clofed -our love-feaft with prayer and fupplication, and
" with tears commended thcfe precious fouls, and our
" venerable Brethren v.'ho have labored amongft thcni, to
*' God, our Almighty Savior, being greatly comforted and
" edified by their faith and firmnefs under fuch heavy
" trials."
Bifliop Spangenbcrg then inquired minutely into the cir-
cumflances of each individual, exhorting them all to rexnain
faithful to the Lord, and firmly to believe, that he would
not forfake them. In doing this he found much reafon to
rejoice over the courfe of the congregation, and the decla-
rations of the believing Indians.
The congregation had not Increafed fo much in numbers
in the pad, as in the foregoing year, eight perfons only
having been baptized. But their growth in the grace and.
knowledge of our Savior was very evident, and notwithftand-
ing grievous temptations and fnares, purpofely laid in their
way, mod of them had walked worthy of the Gofpel.
Brother Buettner wrote at the clofc of this year to Bifliop
Spangenberg, concerning two of the baptized, who had
deviated, " Rejoice with me, for I have fooind the Iheep which
" were loft. Jonathan is again become my brother, and
" not only he, but Jonah alfo, who has been unhappy for
" thefe thirteen rnonths pall. I write this with tears of
" thanks and pralfe to God. My heart followed Jonathan
*' wherever he went, and I thought v.^e mull go and ^tck
"for
Ch IV. Perfecution of the MiJJlomries. 67
" for him, though he were forty miles >ofF, hunting in the
" woods, &c."
This being refolved on, Brother Rauch fet out after
him, to offer him forgivenefs, and peace with his Bre-
thren, if he would accept of it. When Jonathan per-
ceived him coming, he was frightened, and flood like one
thunderflruck. The mifTionary accofting him in a friendly
tone, told him the aim of his vifit, adding, that if he fliould
fly to the diflance of two or three hundred miles, the Bre-
thren would ftill feek after him. Jonathan could make no
reply for amazement, but only faid in broken fentences :
" Does Buettner remember me ftill ? Are you come merely
*' to feek me ? Have you nothing elfe to do here ? I am
*' wretched, I am in a bad date." Brother Rauch perceiv-
ing that his heart was touched, and powerfully awakened,
faid nothing more that evening. But in the morning Jor
nathan repeated his queftions, adding more to the fame pur-
pofe, and then, from a truly broken and contrite heart, be-
gan to weep moft bitterly. Nor could he comprehend how
the Brethren could poiTibly love fuch a miferable fmner, who
had grieved them fo much. Brother Rauch anfwered, " We
" love you flill •, but your Savior loves you much more."
Upon this he gave full vent to his tears, fpoke much of
the ftate of his heart, and defcribed his wretched and wo-
ful condition. When the miffionary left him, he begged
that the Brethren would pray for him, and promifed to re-
turn foon. Brother Buettner, whofe heart burned with love
towards this poor flraying Ihecp, thought the time long be-
fore he could receive him into his arms ; for he vi'as me-
ditating day and night, how he might lead fouls to Chrifl,
preferve them for him, and recall thofe who had gone aflray;
and when thus engaged,he forgot eating and drinking, and even
his bodily weaknefs. At length his dear Jonathan arrived in
Shekomeko, and with him the above-mentioned Jonah, but
very bafhful and full of fears. Brother Buettner immediately
ran to meet him, receiving him as the father received his prodi-
gal fon. Jonathan entirely recovered his former peace and hap-
I" 2 pine is.
68 Perfecutlon of the Mijfwnanes . P. II.
, pinefs) and ever after walked in a fteady courfe. The grace
of Jefus operated alfo moft powerfully upon the heart of
Jonah; he was afterwards beloved by all, as a true difciple
of the Lord Jefus, and his walk proved an edification to the
whole congregation. ■
CH APTE R V.
The Miffionary Gottlob Buettner departs this
Life. The other Mijfionaries are compelled to leave
Shekomeko. The Congregation at Bethlehem fend
Vifitors. Hardflnps endured by the latter. Baptifm
of the jirfl Indians of the Delaware Nation. So?ne
Account of the internal Courfe of the Congregation
at Shekomeko. Bifhop Spangenberg goes to Onondago
in their behalf. Doubtful State of the Mijfion at
the Clofe of the Tl^ar 1745.
THE return of the above-mentioned loft flieep, was one
of the lad pleafing events, of which that faithful fer-
vant of Jefus Chrift among the Indians, Gottlob Buettner,
was witnefs.
Frequent attacks of fpitting of blood had, for a confider-
able time pafl:, gradually weakened his conftitution ; but the
hard life he led among the Indians, and above all the perfe-
cutions, attended with frequent and troublefome journies
in bad weather, and with many grievous afflictions in mind
and body, increafed his -infirmities, and haftened his dillo-
lution. He fell gently and happily afleep in Jefus, February
27d, 1745' '^^ ^^^^ prefence of all the Indian affifhants.
Having exhorted them with his dying lips, to abide faithful
to the end, he defired the Indians to fing that verfe :
" O may our fouls ne'er moved be,
" From thee, my faithful Savior, &;c.''
with
Ch. V. Shehmeho nuUhout Mijfionaries.^ 6g
with others of the fame import, and, while they were
yet fmging, breathed his laft, and entered into the joy of his
Lord.
The Indians wept ovqr him, as children over a beloved pa-
rent. Indeed he had loved them with the tendernefs of a
mother, and for three years, fo intirely devoted himfelf to
their fervice, that every faculty he polTeffed was wholly em-
ployed for their good. To fhow their regard, they dreffed
his corpfe in white, and interred his remains with great fo-
lemnity in the burying-ground at Shekomeko, watering his
grave with ftumberlefs tears : they even ufed to go and weep
over it for a long time after. The following words were
infcribed upon his tomb-flone :
" Here lies the body of Gottlob Buettner, who according
" to the commandment of his crucified God and Savior,
" brought the glad tidings to the heathen, that the blood
'* of Jefus had made an atonement for their fins. As many
*' as embraced this dodtrine in faith, were baptized into the
«« death of the Lord. His laft prayer was, that they might
" be preferved until the day of our Lord Jefus Chrift. He
"was born December 29th, 1716, and fell afleep in the
*' Lord, February 23d, 1745."
After his burial the believing Indians held a council, to
confider whether they {hould not quit Shekomeko ; fearing
that, if left to themfelves, they might be gradually over-
come by finful fedu6lions j efpecially as the Elders in Beth-
lehem were compelled, by the ad above mentioned, to recall
all the mifiionaries from Shekomeko, that they might not
give further occafion for fufpicion, by continuing to refide
there. The grief felt by thefe faithful witneffes of Jefus
Chrift in leaving their beloved congregation, was paft de-
fcription. But they patiently fubmitted to wait till God
{hould reveal their innocence, and difpel the raging ftorm.
However, the congregation in Shekomeko continued to meet
in their ufual order, to edify each other, and only now and
cjien one or more Brethren, acquainted with the language,
were fent to vint and advife with them. They converfed
F 3 ' "^
*J0 Shehmelco imthotit Miffionartes. P. II.
in an edifying manner with each individually, and fome-
times held conferences v.'ith the Indian afliflants, attend-
ing likewife the meetings held by them. The grace of
God fo pov/erfuUy prevailed among them, that the hearts
of thefe vifitors were hlled with wonder and praife. A mif-
lionary wrote to Bethleherri ; " I arrived in the evening at
" Ifaac's cottage, and found it filled with Indians, before
** whom Ifaac was bearing a glorious tefhimony of our Sa-
" vior and his atonement. I would not enter, but went
** out into the wood, kneeled down, and thanked our Sa-
*' vior for the abundance of his grace, praying that he would
** continue to reveal himfelf among them."
The Indians came frequently to Bethlehem, and fome-
times fpent feveral weeks there in large companies. They
were always received with great cordiality and friendfhip.
Conferences were held with the moft faithful and approved
among the ailiftants, treating of the courfe of the congre-
gation. Thus they acquired a better knowledge of the duties
of their office, in watching over tlie fpiritual welfare of the
people committed to their care, and always returned home,
itrengthened in faith.
Meanwhile the perfecutions againfl the Brethren engaged
in the miffion, did not ceafe, and fometimes they were
even cruelly treated. Nor can it be denied, that fome oc-
cafion was given by the inconfiderate zeal of the awakened
Indians. They would often boldly reprove the white peo-
ple for their finful way of life, and whenever they were
interrogated, fpoke the truth witliout any referve or cau-
tion. For inftance, a Dutch clergyman in Weflenhuck,
alked an Indian, whom he had baptized, whether he had
been in Shekoro^ko ? whether he had heard the mifiiqnary
preach, and how he liked him? The Indian anfwered :
*' That he had been there, and had attended to the mif-
'* fionary's words, and liked to hear them ; that he would
" rather hear the miflionary than him, for when the for-
*' mer fpoke, it was as though his words laid hold of
*' his heart, and a voice within faid : That is truth ; but that
"he
Ch. V. Sht'hmch 'without MjJJionaries. 7 J
** he was always playing about the truth, and never
" came to the point : that he had no love for their fouls,
" for when he had once baptized them, he let them run
** wild, never troubling himfelf any further about them;
*' that he acted much worfe than one who planted Indian
" corn, for," added he, " the planter fometimcs goes to fee
" whether his corn grows or not.
Upon another occafion, a white man ailced John : " Whe-
" ther the Brethren were papids ?" John wifhed to know,
who the papiils were ; and when he heard of the worfliip
of images, he.anfwered, " that he fuppofed thofe people
*' were more like papiils, who worfliipped their cows,
" horfes, and plantations, as they had alio done formerly."
The white man replied : " But why are the people fo en-
*' raged at thfe Brethren ?" John anfwered : " Why did the
*' people crucify the Lord Jefus, and throw Paul bound into
" prifon ?''
Thefe bold, but often unfeafonable reproofs increafed
the enmity of the adverf;iries, and thofe Brethren who tra-
velled about in the concerns of the miffionsj had to fufFer
much opprelhon and perfecution on that account. This
was the cafe with the Brethren Frederic F'oft, and David
Zeifberger.
The latter went M'ith tKe Bretliren from Georgia to Penn-
fylvania as a boy, and having turned v/ith his whole heart
unto the Tord, refolved to devote himfelf wholly to the
fervice of God among the heathen. Having laft year re-
ceived fome inftru£l:ion in the Iroquois language from
Brother Pyrlaeus, he travelled with Brother Frederic Pod
in the beginning of this year into their country, with
a view to improve in it. The political condu6l of
the Six Nations had of late appeared very fufpicious,
and the Brethren being accufed of an intention to af-
lift the French in the war againll England, it was no won-
der that the aim of their journey appeared doubtful. The
enemies of the million foon accufed them of treacherous
views, and accordingly they were unexpeclediy arrefted in
Albany, and after much abufe, brought fo New York, and
F 4 confined
72 Shehmeh without MiJJlonaries. P. IT.
confined in prifon. The text appointed for the day of their
imprifonment happened to be, " Blejfed are ye nvhen men fh all
*' revile you, and perfecufe you, and (Jmllfay all manner of evil
*' againji you falfely for my fake" Matt. v. 1 1 . Thefe words
comforted and encouraged the Brethren in prifon, and they
fpent their time very ufefully, in making further pi'ogrefs
in the language of the Iroquois.
The Lord at this time inclined the heart of Mr. Thomas
Noble, a refpedlable merchant in New York, to care for them.
He vifited them in prifon, fent them provifions and other
neceflaries j and difpatched his clerk, Henry van Vleek, to
Bethlehem, with an account of the calamity which had be-
fallen them. Among the many vifits they received in pri-
fon, one fi-om a New England gentleman appears worthy
of notice. He beheld them with great earneftnefs, and at
laft broke out in thefe words : *' Though you are unknown
*' to me, yet I am fully convinced that the accufations brought
" againft you, are all lies, and I believe that you fuffer this
** for Chrifl's fake. I am amazed at your refignation ;
** but indeed it cannot but be a bleffed fituation, to be
" imprifoned for the name of Jefiis Chrift, for all who
" love the Lord Jefus, muft expeft to be hated and perfe-
*' cuted."
After repeated examinations, the Brethren being found
innocent of every charge brought againfl them^ they were
at length difmilTed, and returned to Bethlehem after feven
weeks imprifonment.
When the miflionary. Brother Mack, his wife, the
widow of the late Brother Buettner, and Brother Poll's
wife, befides feveral fmall children, returned from Sheko-
meko to Bethiehem, they met with much trouble, through
the enmity of fome enraged juftices at Sop us. Brother
l^oll's wife, being an Indian woman, furnilhed a pre-
tence for detaining the whole company as traitors. The
mob aflembled, and great mifchief might have followed,
had not Colonel Loewenilein very providentially arrived,
and having publicly reprimanded the juftice who detained
them, fet them at liberty; however, thsj were infuited by
I - ' the
Cli. V. Baptifin ofthefrji DeJawares. ^3
the mob, and had to fuiFer much in the open ftreet from
the cold and violent rain, before they were permitted to
proceed on their journey, loaded with curfes and re-
proaches.
Brother Mack clofes his report with thefe words : *' I con-
*' fidered the importance of our Lord's advice ; Pray for -them
** nvhich defpitefully life you and perfeciite you"
Yet amidil; all thefe tribulations, the Brethren were greatly
comforted by perceiving, that their labor was not in vain in
the Lord.
In April they had the joy to baptize the firfl: fruits of the
Gofpel among the Delaware nation. The frequent vifits
of the Brethren to the Delaware towns had as yet been
attended with little fuccefs -, but the believing Mahikans,
inhabitants of Shekom.eko, having contradled an acquaint-
ance with many Delawares, who travelled through their
country to Philadelphia, and thefe two nations underftand-
iiig each other, both fpeaking a dialeft of the fame language,
the I\Lahikans became the apoftles of the Delawares.
The above-mentioned firftlings were a man and his wife,
who had for fome time eagerly heard the word of life, with
an impreffion upon their hearts, but fufFered themfelves to
be prevented from afking for baptifm, by their numerous fa-
mily connexions. At length they were enabled to fur-
mount all thefe difficulties, exprefled a great defire after the
remiffion of their fins in the blood of Jefus, and begged for
baptifm. They were accordingly baptized in Bethlehem,
and called Gottlieb, and Mary. Being both of the royal
tribe, their high-born relations were greatly difpleafed at a
ftep, which, according to their notions, was a difgrace to
their rank, and therefore firfl: fent a meflage, merely to de-
fire, that they would return on a vifit to their friends. But
the baptized, fearing that their fouls might fufFer harm,
would not go. Upon this the relations refolved to take
them away by force, and thirty-fix of them, among whom
were feveral young warriors, came to Bethlehem in this
view, behaving at firit in a very turbulent manner. Being
led
^4 Baptifin of the firjl Delawarcs. P. II.
led into a large hall, they were plentifully fervcd with meat
and drink. Gottlieb and Mary partook of their repafl,
and other Indian Brethren and Sifters, who happened to
be in Bethlehem on a vifit, came to bid them welcome. Bi-
ihop Spangenberg alfo, with fome of the elders of the con-
gregation, went and expreffed fatisfa£tion at their vifit.
Amazed at fo kind a reception, their anger abated, their
countenances were foftened, and converfation became lively.
After dinner, Gottlieb and Mary, with other Indians, accom-
panied them to the lodgings prepared for them. Here they
opened their commiffion, and, addreiTmg Gottlieb, faid, that
they had heard that he and his wife were baptized, and had be-
come flaves of the white people. But as they loved them,
they could not help coming to hear the truth of the
matter. Gottlieb, ^lad of fo favorable an opportunity
to bear a tcftimony to the truth, boldly anfwered, " that
" he had been formerly a wicked man, and a lover of evil,
" as they all might well remember ; but having heard, that
" God was manifeft in the flefh, and had died for man,
" and would deliver all thofe, who believe in him, from
** their fins, he had wiflied to experience the truth of it, that
" he might no more be obliged to ferve fm and the devil.
** By receiving this dodrine, he had not become a flave, but
" remained as free as formerly." The other Indians pre-
fent, confirmed Gottlieb's fpeech, and exhorted them to
become likewife partakers of the grace of Jefus Chrill.
The favages feemed extremely uneafy during the whole
converfation, and early the next morning fet off on their
return. Some time after, they fent a mefiage to Gottlieb,
defiring, that having fo great a knowledge of God, he would
come and infl:ru£l them. He hefitated a long while, but at
lad M^ent, and was immediately aflced why he had not come
fooner. He anfwered : " You know that when a child is
*' juil born, it cannot fpcak. Thus I could not fpeak im-
** mediately after my converfion, but now I am come to
*' tell you fomething of our Savior." He then preached
the Gofpei to them •, defcvioing the happincfs to be found
in
Ch. V. Baptifm ofthejlrj} Delawares. 7J
in Jefus, and returned full of joy and comfort. In Septem-
ber he had the fatisfaftion to fee his own brother follow
him, who alfo was baptized, and called Joachim.
Another Delaware Indian was taken ill on the road to
Bethlehem, where he had paid frequent vifits to the Bre-
thren, but without exprefling the leaft concern for his
foul. But now he fent to them, begging that they might
come to fee him, " for the fake of that great love they were
*' known to bear to the Indians." His requeft was grant-
ed, and having fpoken with great contrition of the evil ftatc
of his heart, he recommended himfelf to the remembrance
and prayers of the Brethren. They heard foon after,
that he departed this life In the fame hour, in which he
was included in the public prayers of the congregation.
He had two wives, and exhorted them, to go immediately
after his death to Bethlehem, and to turn to Jefus. One
of them followed his advice, and was baptized the year
after.
A fynod having been appointed to meet this year in
Bethlehem, the Brethren Ranch and Bifhop were fent to
Shekomeko with a letter, defiring the Indian congregation
tliere to fend a deputy.
The aim of a fynod having been explained to them, the
fathers of families met to chufe a deputy. They were
firfl addrefled, with a view to explain in whap manner a
Brother fent by them to the fynod, fhould a£l ; namely, in
their behalf, with their fpirit, and fupported by the prayers
of the whole congregation : that if any one had a concern,
of whatever kind it might be, he might entruft the deputy
with it, v/ho Ihould mention it to the fynod, which would
be the fame as though he himfelf were prefent. That the
deputy would bring back the anfwers, wdth the bleffing
of the fynod, and communicate to them what he had
enjoyed. Their unanimous choice fell upon Jonathan,
and they declared, that they could Impart to him every
thought of their hearts. At taking leave, they fent various
xneflages to the congregation. Jacob faid : *' I falute the
*' congre-
^6 Shehmeh without Mijftonaries. P. II,
" congregation, and let them know, that when my heart
" is at peace with our Savior, I am alfo at peace with
" them. I have found refervednefs towards my Brethren
" to be a great fin, for the Lord knoweth our hearts>
** &c." Others fpoke to the fame eiFe<ft, and their great
Jove to the congregation at Bethlehem was particularly evi-
dent on this occafion. Indeed this brotherly love was mu-
tual, and their deputy brought a renewed confirmation of
it, upon his return from the fynod.
Perhaps nothing could be a more evident proof of the
change wrought in the difpofition of the believing Indians^
than their wiih to have their children educated in Bethle-
hem, that they might be preferved as much as poflible from
fedu^ion. For the love of the heathen Indians towards
tiieir children is ^o exceflive, that they cannot bear to be
deprived of the fight of them, for any length of time. ■ But
now the parents moil earneftly befought the Brethren to
take their children, and to educate them in the fear of
the Lord. This requcft was granted to feveral, fome time
after.
As the chara£ler of a whole community may be knowrt
from certain traits in the difpofitions of its members, I
will infert a few extracts from the diary of the Indian
congregation of 1745.
In a converfation of the Indian afliftants, one of them
began to weep •, being afked the caufe of his weeping, he
anfwered, that, he had feen a man, working fo hard, that
fcis fhirt and whole body feemed bathed in fweat ; he imme-
diately thought on the fweat and anguifh of our Savior in
the garden on his account, which melted his heart into
tears.
John related, that during the late rumor of war, he hap^
pened to enter an Englidi town, the inhabitants of which
•were all In great dread of the Indians. The people foon
furrounued him, to inquire what news he brought from the
Indian country : he anfwered, " News of all kinds \ but the
" mofl interefting news to me are, that it is good to believe
"on
Ch. V. ^hehmeh Without M'lfftonaiies, 77
" on the Lord Jefus Chrift j" upon which the people left
him to go quietly about His bufinefs.
A baptized woman's cottage was burnt down, while fiie
was working in her plantation, and but few of her goods were
faved. "When flie returned home, every one exprefled great
forrow for her lofs, upon which fne replied : That (he had
been on that very day, while at work, confidering, that fhe had
gained all her property by an illegal traffick with rum, and
therefore fhe was fatisfied to lofe it in this manner.
An Indian Sifter gave a love-feaft to the whole congre-
gation, in token of her joy over the converfion of one of her
country- v/o men. On this occafion a brother related witli
great humility, that having been lately prefent at an Indian
feaft, he had been feduced to enter into fome of their old
heathenifli pradlices, but feeling immediately (Irong rebukes
of confcience he left off on a fudden. This occafioned much
inquiry on the part of the Indians, v/hich he anfwered, by
defiring them not to compel him to do any thing which
might <leftroy the peace of God in his heart-
An Indian woman from Menifling paid a vifit to John,
and told him, that as foon as Ihe had a good heart, fhe
would alfo turn to the Lord Jefus. *' Ah," replied John,
*' you want to walk on your head! How can you get a good
** heart, unlefs you come flrft to Jefus ?"
An European being prefent when a Brother from Bethle-
hem came to viGt the Indians, and feeing the affe6tionatc
manner in v/hich they received him, declared afterwards,
that of all the people he had ever feen, none were poffelTei
of fuch fincere affection as thefe Indians.
An Indian affiftant addreffed the baptized la their meeting
in the following manner: " My dear Brethren and Sifters j I
*' have nothing to fay to you but a few words concerning
*' Jefus. Jefus labored hard to gain falvationfor us, even fo
** that his fweat was as great drops of blood falling to the
^^ ground. And now Jefus fays to us: * I have redeemed
" you all, I have given my life and blood for you.' Therefore
^ let us give him our hearts. AVe may now receive eternal
" life i
7 3 ShAomeh iv'tthout MtJJionanes. P. IL
" life ; but by virtue of his blood alone. Whofoever be-
" lieveth in him, fhall live eternally; but whofoever does not
" believe, will certainly die in his fins. However, none
*• need die, but all may have eternal life if they come to Jefus,
" for he will receive them gladly, &c."
Though we had reafon to be thankful that a mutual inter-
courfe could be kept up between Bethlehem and Shekomeko,
yet it was evident, that the fufpenfion of the regular fervice
of tile miiTionaries would finally be produ£live of harm to the
congregation. The Holy Communion could not be adminif-
tered to them, ' and thus the poor Indians were deprived of
one of the moil poM^erful means of growth in grace. The
catechumens could not be baptized in Shekomeko, and the
few who were baptized during tliis period, came in that view
to Bethlehem. The difcourfes of the Indian afliflants were
indeed attended with blefixng to the hearers, being dictated
by hearts, filled with the love of Chrift, and an experimental
convi^lion of the truth of what they advanced. They were
the language of the heart, and confequently went to the
heart : but they could not be called do£lrinal. Now though
the miflionaries never detained themfelves long in difcuffing
doftrinal points, yet they wilhed to follow the command-
ment of our Savior, and to teach them all things, which he
commanded his difciples ; for which, more knowledge and
gifts were required, than the Indians could be expetted to
poiTefs. It appeared likewife, that the calumnious infinua-
tions, inceffantly urged by the enemies of the miflion, had
made feme imprefFion on the minds of a few of the baptized.
The Brethren were fo ftrongly accufed of an intention to
reduce the believers to a ftate of flavery, that even one of
the ailiftants began to liften to it, and to lofe his confidence
towards the miffionaries. He foon acknowledged his error
with many tears ; but yet this cirtumftance proved, in what
danger thefe good people were of fuffering fliipwreck in the
faith, and the Brethren Vv'cre therefore very defivous of pU-
cing them, if poffible, out of the way of temptation. They
therefore refoived to propofe, that they raould remove out
of
Ch. "V. Zhekomeh nvithcut M'ljfionaries. 79
of the province of New York, nnd fettle upon fome eligible
fpot in Pennfylvania. The plan was, firft to place them in
the neighborhood of Bethlehem, and then to remove them
to Wajomick on the Sufquehannah, where they might have
enjoyed perfe£l liberty of confcience, and been lefs cxpofed
to the fedu6lions of the white people, and not called upon
to take fhare in the war. An account was alfo received, that
the Shawanofe, a few excepted, had removed from Wajomick
to the Ohio. But that no difficulty might be made on tlie
part of the Iroquois, to whom this country belonged, the
Brethren refolved to fend an embalTy to the great council
at Onondago.
Bilhop Spangenberg, ConraJ WeiiTer, David Zeifberger,
and Shebofch, were willing to undertake this commifhon,
and fet out for Onondago in May, They fufFered many hard-
fhips by the way, but experienced alfo fome remarkable proofs
of the kind providence of God. Having been without pro- •
vifions for feveval days, they found a quarter of a bear, hung
up for the ufe of travellers by an Indian hunter, who could
not carry it off, according to a cuftom defcribed in the Firft
Part of this worL Such timely relief they received more
than once, and were therefore encouraged to aflift other
hungry travellers ivhom they met on the road. One day
they found two Iroquois warriors, who had loft all their pro-
vifions, were almoft naked, and had travelled near 500
miles. One of them was alfo on the road to Onondago.
Conrad Weifler alked him, how he intended to reach that
place in fuch a fituation ? His anfwer vv^as : " God, who
*' dwells in heaven, has created the earth and all creatures
*' therein, and he feeds numbers of men and beafts in the
" wildernefs. He can and will feed me alfo." While they
were in company with the Brethren, they received their full
fhare out of the common kettle, and thus he was fed ac-
cording to his faith.
Bifliop Spangenberg and his company being arrived in
Onondago, the great council renewed the covenant made
between Count Zinzcndorf and the Iroquois, with great fo-
lemnity j
So thehmeh without M'ljfionartes. P. iL
lemnity ; the three Brethren were adopted as their country-
men, each receiving a peculiar name, and their propofal
to remove the congregation of believing Indians to Wajonr.ick,
was well received by the Iroquois. But contrary to all ex-
peftation, the Indians in Shekomeko refufed to accept it.
They alledged, that the governor of New York had parti-
cularly conimanded them to ftay in their own town, promif-
ing them his protection; and that, on this account, they
could not leave the country, without giving new caufe for
fufpicion, and encouraging a new perfecution againft the
miffionaries: they further intimated, that if even they fhould
emigrate, their unbaptized friends and relations would yet
remain there and enter upon their old finful courfes, which
would grieve them exceedingly. Abraham in particular was
very zealous in diffuading the Indians from acceding to the
above propofal, by reprefenting, that Wajomick lay in the
road of the warriors to the Catawas, and in a country
abounding with favages ; tliat the women were fo wanton,
that they feduced all the men j and confequently their ac-
quaintance might prove very hurtful to the young people, &c;
But foon after this, an event happened, which obliged
the Indians to follow the advice given them by the Bre-
thren -, for the white people came to a refolution, to drive the
believing Indians from Shekomeko by main force, under a
pretence, that the ground upon which the town was built, be-
longed to other people, who would foon come and take pof-*
feflion. The Indians applied for help to the governor of
New York, but finding their petition not attended to, and
that they would be at lalt compelled to emigrate, they began
to take the propofal made by the Brethren into more ferious
deliberation i and as feveral exprefled an inclination to live
near Bethlehem, their vifits to that place became more fre-
quent towards the clofe of the year.
The fituation of the congregation at Shekomeko became
now very diilreffrng. The white people feized upon the
land, and even appointed a watch to prevent all vifits from
Bethlehem. The war betwen the Englilh and French
occafioned
Ch. V. Shehtnch -without M'lJJionar'ies, 8l
occafioned a general alarm. The Indians were afj-aid of both
parties, but the Englilh miflrufted their neutrality, and in
ibme places went even armed to church. The unbeliev-
ing Indians in Weftenhuck made feveral attempts to draw
the Chriftian Indians in Shekomeko into their party ; and feme
Chriflians in the neighborhood exerted themfelves, to perfuade
them to join their congregations, partly by contemptuous infi-
nuations againft the Brethreningeneral,and partly by accufing
the miflionaries of bafe views. The believing Indians were
poor, and frequently obliged to fpend much time amoiig Im-
moral people to get a livelihood. Many of them were deep.-
ly in debt, contrafted both by their profligate lives previous
to their converfion, and by fuffering great impofitions from
foiue bad neighbors. Thefe debtors were now fubjecSt to
much ill treatment, and even threatened with imprifonment.
Not feeing any poffibility of paying their creditors, and not
willing to run away, they had no other refuge, but to beg the
congregation at Bethlehem to aflid them, which was done
with great wiliingnefs. But the greatell grievance was this,
that after the entire removal of their faithful miilionaries, fomc
had not only fallen into deviations, but even into a fmful
courfe, which foon occafioned a divifion among them, and
even much f^ander, ending at lad in confufion and mifery.
This melancholy change of affairs caufed the mod pun-
gent grief to the Indian affiflants, and to the congregation at
Bethlehem ; to whom thefe things were mentioned by the for-
mer, with great forrow, and the Brethren united in moft
fervent prayer and fupplication to God, for this poor perfc-
cuted people, that he would help and relieve them by his
mighty power,
Part II.
C 82 ]
CHAPTER VI.
1746.
Emigration from Shekomeko. Temporary Refidmce of
the converted hidiam in Bethlehem and Friedejifhuet'
ten, EftablifJoment of Gnadenhuetien. Journies to
Shimokin and Wajomick.
IN the beginning of 1 746, Bifhop Frederic Cammerhof
came from Europe, to alTift Bifliop Spangenberg in the
fuperintendency of all the eflablifhments of the Brethren in
North America, of which the miflion among the Indians was a
principal obje6i:. Both bifnops therefore, with the elders of
Bethlehem, zealoufly exerted themfclves to afford fome relief
to the opprefled congregation in Shekomeko. His Excellency
George Thomas, governor of Pennfylvania, being apprized
of the fituation of the Chriftian Indians, had ordered, that all
who took refuge in Pennfylvania fliould be protected in the
quiet pra£lice of their reHgious profefTion. The Brethren
however could not im.mediately give up the idea of removing
the Indians to Wajomick in the free Indian territory, and
wifhing to prevail upon them to agree to this propofal, fent
the mifTionary, Martin Mack, in March, to Wajomick, accu-
rately to furvey the country. He travelled in company Vv'itli
two Delavvares of great refpectability, who had vifited Beth-
lehem. They fhowed the tendereft concern for his fafety on
the road, carrying him through brooks and rivers upon their
ihoulders. The aim of this journey was not obtained,
and as no perfuafions could prevail on the Indians to move
thither, they invited them to Bethlehem, permitting them to
build and plant near the fettlement. At this period the con-
gregation in Shekomeko was perfecuted more than ever,
Their enemies reported, that a thoufand French troops were
on their march to the province, with whom the Indians of
Shekomeko would join, and then ravage the country with
fire
Ch.VI. 'Shehnuh forfaheru ^y
fire and fword. This rumor fpread fuch terror, particularly
an Reinbeck, that the inhabitants demanded a warrant of
the jullice to go and kill all the Indians at Shckomeko.
Though the warrant was not granted, It was foon known
in Shckomeko, that it had been demanded, and the griev-
ances and oppreflions fuftcred by the Indians rofe at length
to fuch a pitch, that though their attachment to Sheko-
meko was very great, fome of them at lafl refolved to aC"
cept of the invitation of the Brethren at Bethlehem.
Thus ten famiHes, in all forty-four perfons, left Sheko-?
meko in April, with forrow and tears, and were received la
Bethle;hem with tendernefs and compaiTion. Several of them
immediately built cottages near the fcttlement. Their
morning and evening meetings were regulated, and the ijsrs'
vice performed In the Mahikan language. This com-
forted theni in fome meafure for tlie lofs of the regular
fervice at Shckomeko, which was mod precious to them#
Soon after, two Indian girls were baptized in Bethlehem
Chapel, in prefence of the whole congregation, and a great
nuaiber of friends, and this folemn tranfaff ion proved again
fome confolation to their countrymen. The Indian emi-
grants now conceived a lively and confident hope, that they
would not fuffer nisterially by their removal from Shcko-
meko^ What moll encouraged them was this, that ^fter a
due examination, v/hether they ftill lived in the faith of
Jefus Clirift, in bratherly love, and unity of fpirit, they
were permitted to partake of the Holy Communion at
Bethlehem. Their faith and inward life being thus ftrength ■
ened, the Brethren endeavored to Introduce fome gooct
regulations for their canduct. To this end a council was
formed, confifting of ail the fathers of families, at which
the baptized mothers were permitted to be prefent. This
is not ufual with tlie Indians, but having found that hither-
to many falutary refolutions, fornaed in the council by the
men, had failed, owing to difficulties generally raifed by
*he women, it was thought proper to admit them alfo,
jthat they might hear the rcafons and be convinced of the
O 2 propriety
84 Bhehmekoforfaken. P. II.
propriety of the regulations propofed. This had the de-
fired cfFeft, and every thing was done to general fatisfac-
tion.
This fmall Indian fettlement, called Friedenfliuetten, or
Tents of Peace, was eftablifhed merely for temporary con-
venience; the Brethren judging that an Indian town could
not be fupported fo near to Bethlehem. They therefore
did all in their pcjwer to procure a piece of land, where
the Indians might build, plant, and live in their own way,
and at length purchafed two hundred acres, fituated on the
junction of the rivers Mahony and Lecha, beyond the Blue
Mountains, about thirty miles from Bethlehem, and the
fame diflance from Wajomick. The miffionary Martin
Mack went with fome white Brethren, and fome of the
Indian affiftants, to mark out the ncAv town, which they
called Gnadenhuetten, or Tents of Grace. Some days after,
other Indians followed, and being much pleafed with the
fituation, they refolved this year to plant both near Beth-
lehem and at Gnadenhuetten, and that the men {hould re-
main in either place, as circumflances required-, that thus
the clearing of ground and building at Gnadenhuetten
might fpeedily advance. The Indians were diligent, chear-
ful, and aftive, and ufed to fpeak to each other of the eafe
with which they now could labor, fince their fouls were
engaged with the Lord Jefus, who labored hard for them;
afcribing their good progrefs and the prefervatlon of their
bodies, not fo much to their own efforts and prudence,
as to the grace and mercy of God. The Brethren were
much edified by thefe declarations, acknowledging them to be
the blefled effects of the Gofpel, and a full reward for all the
trouble and pains they had bellowed upon thefe na-
tions.
When the news of this new Settlement reached Sheko-
meko and Pachgatgoch, many of tlie Indians in thofe places
were alfo induced to remove to Gnadenhuetten, fo that
in a fhort time the latter place contained more Chriflian
Indians than the two former. Their enemies, though re-
folved
Ch. VI. Gnadenhuetten huitt. 8^
folved to expel them from Shekomeko, faw wath regret,
that they all emigrated to Bethlehem, and to deter the
remainder from following their brethren, raifed a mali-
cious report, that the laft party 6f emigrants had been
murdered on the road. Thefe falfe rumors were not cre-
dited, and a number of Indian families, who were juft
then preparing for the journey, fet out without fear. One
of them faid, " If we mull be obliged either to flay here,
*' or to go to another place, and not to Bethlehem, you might
" as well take our lives from us." Thus one family after
the other departed in fuch chearful reliance upon the gra-
cious protedtion and fupport of the Lord, that all who faw
and heard them were edified.
During this period, divine fervice was daily and regu-
larly attended to in Shekomeko, and the Indian affiftants
bore witnefs to the truth of the Gofpel before many tra-
vellers who pafled through the towrn. Their difcourfes
were plain, but powerful, and proceeding from their ex-
perience, left a good impreffion upon many. Their man-
ner of finging hymns was particularly edifying. After
the dlfcourfe they treated the ftrangers with great hofpi-
tality, and when they had no other place to accommodate
them, fpread their table in the chapel ; converfing with them
about the falvation of their fouls in an ufeful manner.
The emigration from Shekomeko and Pachgatgoch to
Gnadenhuetten was attended with no fmall embarraflment,
both to the Indians and the congregation at Bethlehem.
Whenever a family intended to emigrate, the neighbor-
ing traders brought bills, demanding payinent, and the
Indians, neither able to read or write, were compelled to
fubmit to frequent impofitions. The Brethren aflifted them
to the utmoft of their power. Mod of the Indian parents
urged the placing of their children in the fchools at Beth-
lehem and Nazareth. Though their education proved ex-
penfive, their requeft was always granted. Their tempo-
rary refidence near Bethlehem, (where the Brethren were
obliged to provide them with all the neceflaries^ of life) oc-
G 3 cafioned
t^- Shehmehfai-fahrt, V.lt
«afioned an cxpence, which they could never expeft to be
feimburfed. The fetthng at Gnadenliuetten was alfo ex-
penfive. The land being covered with foreft trees, and
thick ftirubs, was cleared and planted. The Brethren join-
ed the Indians in this work, and had their meals in com-
mon with them. But the latter being unacquainted with
hufbandry and unable to bear much fatigue, the heavieft
work of courfe fell upon the white Brethren. Confider-
ing this work as done in the fervice of God, they fpared
no exertion, and were the more defirous of complet-
ing the building of Gnadenhuetten, being well con-
vinced, that the prefent mode of life, entirely different'
from that to which the Indians were accuftomed, was pre-
judicial to their health. The common table, though con-
venient, could not be continued, chiefly on account of its
fmgular appearance to the heathen Indians. The white
Bi-ethren, who had the care of the provifions, being necef-*
fitated to be frugal in the diftribution, the Indian Bre-
thren could not treat their vifitors with their ufual pro-
fufion. Thus the favages conceived a notion, that the Cln-ift-
ian Indians fuffered wantj and were become flaves to the
white people, efpecially when they faw them perform ma"
nual labor, to which Indians were not accultomed. As
foon therefore as circumftances would permit, each fa-
mily was put into poffeflion of its own lot of ground, and
having received fome inftru£lion relative to the cultiva-
tion of it, began its foparate houfekeeping.
In July the congregation at Gnadenhuetten received its
regulations, the different offices were appointed, the rules
of the congregation made public, and the chapel confe-
crated with great, folemnlty j all prefent and future inha-
bitants of this place being recommended with prayer and
fupplication to the grace and protetlion of God our Sa-
vior. -
In Shekomeko the prqfpeft appeared dally more preca-
rious. The rumor of the war between the French and Eng-
Jifli, increafed. The French Indians having made an inroad
i-nt©
Ch. VI. Gnadenhiietien builh . 87
into the country within a day's journey from that town,
fetting fire to the houfes, and murdering the inhabit-
ants, the Englifli called upon all who were able to bear
nrms, to rife in their own defence. Confequently the
Chrillian Indians remaining in Shekomeko received the
fame meflage, and began now to acknowledge their
error, in not following the falutary advice given them by
the Brethren. Several joined the army, and the reft lived
in continual apprehenfion and dread, nor could they be
vifited by Brethren from Bethlehem till the 24th of
July 1746, when the Brethren Hagen and Poll were fent
thither by the elders at Bethlehem. They held a love-
feail with the remaining baptized, and by a written deed
of gift, fecured the chapel to the Indians, as their pro-
perty. They then recommended them in prayer to the good
Shepherd who laid down his life for the flieep, that he
would not fufFer them to flray, nor to be plucked out of his
hands.
Thus the Brethren concluded their labors in Shekomeko
with forrowful hearts, yet praifing God, who had firft cauf-
ed the light of the Gofpel to fliine unto the heathen in
this place. Within the fpacc of tv/o years, fixty-one grown
perfons had here been made partakers of holy baptifm, ex-
clufive of thofe baptized in Bethlehem.
The converted Indians were now dlfperfed in different
places, at a confiderable diftance from each other, viz. in
Gnadenhuetten, Bethlehem, Pachgatgoch, Wechquatnach,
and Shekomeko. Some were fo much attached to the
latter place, that notwithftanding the war, and other troubles,
they could not refolve to emigrate. Gnadenhuetten now
became a very regular and pleafant town. The church
flood in the valley, on one fide the Indian houfes forming
a crefcent, upon a rifing ground; and on the other, flood
the houfe of. the mifhonary and the burying-ground. The
road to Wajomick and other Indian towns lay through the
fettlement. The miflionaries tilled their own grounds, and
every Indian family their plantation, and on the i8th of
G 4 Auguftj
88 Shekomtho foi'fahcn. ' P. IL
Augufl, they had the fatisfa£tioti to partake of the firft
fruits of the land, at a love-feall.
Chriftian Rauch and Martin Mack were the firfl mif-
fionaries who refided here, and adminiilered the Word and
Sacraments to the congregation, and their labor was at-
tended with blefling. They were fuccecded by other mif-
fionaries who were occafionally removed ; the Brethren being
of opinion, that frequent changes of the minifters of the
congregation might be ufeful, in preventing too ftrong an
attachment to, and dependence upon men, and fixing the
hope of the Indians more upon God alone. Thofe who
lived near, or in Bethlehem, found their growth in the grace
and knowledge of the Lord Jefus Chrill greatly promoted
by the converfation of the European Brethren and Sifters.
They were filled with joy and comfort, and endeavored to
be ufeful to their countrymen in all places, by commu-
nicating to them their experience, both by converfation, and
by letters •■, feveral having learned to v/rite at Bethlehem, and
others dictating letters to Europeans.
Brother Frederic Poll ftaid fome time in Pachgatgoch,
living in the Indian manner, preaching the Gofpel, and at
the fame time working at his trade as a joiner. The Bre-
thren of Bethlehem and Gnadenhuetten went alfo frequently
to Pachgatgoch and Wechquatnach, wifliing to prevent the
fpark of truth, yet glimmering in tliofe places, from being en-
tirely extlngulflied.
However feveral diftrelTing things occurred during this dif-
perfion. of the Indians. Some rnen wlio could not perfnade
their wives to leave Shekomeko, left tliem there. Some wo-
men would not be detained by their ludbands, but went alone
to Bethlehem and Gnadenhuetten. The nioft ferious re-
monftrances againft fuch diforderly proceedings feemed all
in vain ; parents alfo left their children, and children de-
ferted their parents. Thefe things occafioned much alter-
cation, and good order was interrupted. Even fome who
removed to Gnadenhuetten, became confufed and unhappy,
and at length left the place. The enemies of the Brethren
Ch. ^^. Gnadcfihiietten built, ^
were likewife aftlve, and endeavored to prejudice the minds
of the Indians again ft Bethlehem, and Gnadenhuetten. Even
fome of the clergy were perfuaded to fpread falfe reports
concerning them from their pulpits, and feveral of thofe
left at Shekomeko were fo far influenced by them, that they
refolved to petition the governor to grant them more land,
that more Indians might fettle there. They hoped like-
wife, that the miffionaries would then be induced to re*
turn and live with them •, but in cafe this (liould be refufed,
they purpofed to defire the governor to fend a minifter to
them, adding, *' they all fet forth what is in the Bible.'*
They could not agree concerning this propofal ; yet this
circumflance ferved as a pretext to a neighbor In Wef-
tenhuck, to prejudice them againfh the Brethren. He
even enticed them to repair thither, and by promlfes,
and by means of dancing and drinking, endeavored to per-
fuade them to leave their congregation. But they were not to
be thus deceived, and upon their return, ob ferved to each
other, that they had led a miferable life at Weftenhuck,
having been merry at the expence of an uneafy confci-
ence.
Thofe Indians vrho had Imbibed prejudices agalnffc the Bre-
thren, endeavored now to hinder thofe families that wifhed
to emigrate to Gnadenhuetten, from leaving Shekomeko,
They made ufe of the moll perfuafive arguments, and find-
ing them of no avail, emleavcred to procure the interfer-
ence of government ; but the Indians being declared a free
people, their attempt failed. The mifery of the ChrlfiiaM
Indians who had not left Shekomekc, daily Increafed by
the continuation of the v/ar, and by frequent meiTages,
requiring them to take up arms agalnll the French, The
confufion occafioned thereby in Shekomeko and Fachgat-
goch was great. The mlflionaries at this time could not
interfere, becaufe government was falfely led to fufpedt
them. Some of the deluded Indians even pleaded, that the
Brethren had forbidden them to join the militia. A white
man had the aJJurarice, publicly to aiTcrtj that the Brethren
were
90 ^hchmelo forfa'keni P. Hi
were In poflefiion of three thoufand ftand of arms for
the ufe of the Indians who fliould join the French, and
make inroads into Pennfylvania. Upon this, government
ordered, that the Brethren in Bethlehem fhould fend a
deputy to Newtown in Jerfey to be publicly examined.
Here their innocence was fuliy proved, the above-mention-
ed man with other falfe accufers confounded, and a heavy
fine levied upon him. But Mr. Henry Antes, the deputy,
exerted himfelf in his behalf, and procured his releafe. He
had alfo the fatisfadlion to bear a powerful teftimony
concerning Jefus Chrift our Savior before a numerous af-
fembly. This circumftance likewifc convinced the Bre-
thren, that great care and circumfpe6lion was required, in
propagating the Gofpel among the Indian nations. They
were foon after comforted, by hearing that God had wrought
convlQion in the hearts of thofe who had been thus deluded.
The correfpondenceof the Indians was chiefly ufeful, in cauf-
ing many who had erred, to recover the reft, by bearing
wltuefs to the truth. One, who was threatened by his
relations with death, unlefs he difavowed all connexion
with his pallors, replied, " I know the Brethren are juit,
** and I am to blame." Another being alfo threatened
with death, while preparing to return to the congrega-
tion, boldly anfwered, that he would not a(£t other-
wife, nor would he reft, till he was again united to his
brethren, and though they might kill him, they could not
deftroy his foul, which being redeemed by the blood of
Chrift, was of much greater value than his body.
Several who owned their deviations, and repented of them,
wrote or dictated very penitential letters to the congre-
gation. Jacob began his letter thus : " I am like a child,
" whofe father loves him dearly, clothes him well, and gives
*' him all he ftands in need of j afterwards the child be-
" comes refra'flory, deferts his parent, and defpifes his coun-
" fel. At length through folly, the child lofes all the good
*' things he pofleffed, his clothes become ragged, and na-
*' kednefs and want follov.-. TIkti remembering, how well
" he
Gh. VI. Vifits to th Iroqu'oif. ' 9!-
** he fared, he repents and weeps day and night, fcarcely
" prefumlng to return. This is precifely my cafe." Many
letters of this import were read to the Indian congrega-
tions at Gnadenbuetten and near- Bethlehem, and iome-
times to the European Brethren there, and always heard
with great emotion, Thofe who could neither write, noj*
dictate letters, came to Bethlehem and Gnadenhuetten, ac-
knowledged and lamented, their errors, before the public
affembly, begging pardon of all prefent. All thefe peni-
tents were received with open arms, and publicly aflured
of the forgivenefs of the congregation, and many tears of
love and joy were (lied by all prefent on this affctSting oc-
cafion.
The Brethren perceiving, that, notwithilanding the rage
of their enemies, God .blefled their labors in behalf of the
Indians in a very eminent degree, their defire to fpread
tlie Gofpel among the heathen daily increafed. In this
view, the Six Nations or Iroquois were the principal ob-
jects of their confidcration, having already contrafled an ac-
quaintance with them, by means of feveral journies made
to their towns. Thefe nations alfo knew well, hov/ to dif-
tlnguifn between the miflionaries, who came to them from
motives of benevolence, and other white people, who had
310 objecl: in view but trade.
In the foregoing year, Brother Martin Mack and his
wife went 'to Shomokin, a town belongiiig to the Iroquois,
where they flaid two months. During this period they
not only fuffered much illnefs, and troubles of various
kinds, but frequently were eye-witnefies to the mod hor-
rid and diabolical abominations, pra£lifed by the favages,
more in this place than iii any other, atid feveral times
they were in danger of being murdered by drunken In-
dians. Yet their fervent dehre to gain fouls for Chrifl,
and his precious and comfortable words, I am with you nl~
waySf infpired them with fuch confolation, that according
to Brother Mack's own expreflion, their hard fare in a poor
Indian cottage afforded them more real pleafure, tlian all
the
gi "^^'ifit^ io the Iroqi/ois. P^ 11.
the luxuries of the mod fumptuous palace could have done.
God alfo granted them the favor, to find novir and then
an open door to preach the word of life. They employ-
ed their time in afTifting the Indians in their plantations j
and Indian corn being their only food, they vi^ere perfeflly
contented. From Shomokin they went on a vifit to Long
Ifland, a large ifland in the River Sufquehannah, where they
were received with much kindnefs, efpecially by the chief.
At prefent the Gofpel itfelf did not feem to make an
impreflion upon them, but rather the account of the change,
wrought on the Indians in Shekomeko, whofe profligacy
had been notorious. Here drunkennefs feemed to the mif-
lionary to be the greateft obftacle in the way of the Gof-
pel. Even the chief got fo drunk one evening, that he fell
into the fire, and burnt the flefh off one of his hands.
Upon Brother Mack's return to Shomokin, a travelling
Shavi'anofe fought to teiTify him, by accofting him in a
very rough manner: " Good people," faid he, " what is your
** bufinefs in this place ? The Iroquois do not permit any
** one to come and inftrudl the Indians. You are like pi-
*' geons, v/herever one perches, a large number flock to-
" gether ; and thus, wherever you fettle, not only one or
" two, but a whole tribe gathers about you." Inftead of
returning any anfwer, the miliionary preached the Gofpel
to this favage, and having fowed in tears, and offered up
many fervent prayers for thefe poor people, who feemed
di-eadfully entangled in the fnares of Satan, he returned
to Bethlehem. The journey was attended with much dif-
ficulty, efpecially to his wife, then pregnant, for they were
frequently obliged to creep up the fteep mountains upon
their hands and feet.
The account given by Brother Mack concerning the ftate of
the Indians in Shomokin, made the elders of the congregation
at Bethlehem wifh to fend a miffionary to refide there,
and to preach the Gofpel to thefe favages. Tliey found a
good opportunity of doing this in the year 1746. The
Xiroquois fent word by Shikellimus, their agent or deputy
S i^
Ch. VI. Account of Gnadenhuetten. 93
in Shomokin, to Mr. Conrad WeilTer, interpreter to go-
vernment, requefting him to reprefent to the governor
of Pennfylvai.ia, that for want of a blackfmith, they were
frequently upon the fllghteft occafion, obliged to travel
above an hundred miles to Tulpehokin, or even to Phila-
delp -iia, to get work done ; they therefore begged that a
blackfmith might be fent to rehde in Shomokin. "Sho-
mokin feemed a very dangerous place of refidence for an
European, the air being unwholcfome, and the Indians noted
as bad paymafters; not to mention their extravagance in
drinking, and its dangerous confequences to an European.
Yet the Brethren received the meflage fent by Conrad
Weifler with pkafure ; and the governor of Pennfylvania
readily granted permiffion to fend them a blackfmith.
Accordingly Brother Mack went in Company of an In-
dian to Shomokin to confult with chief Shikelliraus and
his council, upon the bufinefs, and to agree, that in cafe
the Brethren fhould fend a blackfmith to refide there, he
fhould (lay with them no longer than they preferved their
faith and friendfnip v/lth the Englifli nation.
Soon after this the fnial!-pox broke out among the In-
dians, firfl at Bethlehem and then at Gnadenhuetten*
Eighteen perfons departed this life, among whom were
feveral very ufeful and valuable affiHants, whofc lofs the
miflionaries moil fincerely lamented, v'l-z. John, Ifaac, David,
Jonas, Abraham, and his v/ife Sarah. Tiie following is a
brief account of their lives :
John was one of the firft fruits, and feveral letters in-
ferted above, are a ftriking proof of his real converiion
to the Lord- As an heathen he diftinguifted himfelf by
his finful practices, and as his vices became the more
fedu6live, on account of his natural wit and humor, fo
as a Chriftian he became a mofl powerful and perfuafive
witnefs of our Savior among his nation. His gifts were fanc».
tified by the grace of God, and employed In fuch a man-»-
ner, as to be the means of bleffing both to Europeans and
Indians. Fev.' of his countrymen ccuid vie with him ia
point
94 Account of Gnadcnhuetten. P. K,
point of Indian oratory. His difcourfes were full of ani-
jnation, and his words penetrated like fire into the hearts
of ^is countrymen; his foul found a rich pafture in the
Gofpel, and whether at home, or on a journey, he could
not forbear fpeaking of the falvation purchafed for us hy
the fufferings of Jefus, never hefitating a moment, whether
his hearers were Chriftians or heathen. In fhort, he ap-
peared chofen by God to be a witnefs to his people, and
was four years a£live in this fervice.- Nor was he lefs
refpecled as a chief among the Indians, no afFinrs of
ftate being tranfadled without his advice and confent.
Shortly befoi-e his laft illiiefs he vifited Bifliop Spangen-
berg, and addreffed him thus : '^ I have fomething to fay
*' to you ; I have examined ray heart clofely, I know that
^' what I fay is true. Seeing fo many of our Indians de-
*' part this life, I put the c]ueflion to myfelf, whether i
*■* could refigii my life to the Lord, and be allured that he
" would receive my foul. The anfwer was : Yes, for I
** am the Lord's, and fliall go and be with him for even"
During his illuefs, the believing Indians went often and flood
weeping around his bed. Even then he fpoke with power
,and energy of the truth of the Gofpel, and in all things
approved himfelf, to his lad breath, as a minifter of God.
His pains- v/ere mitigated by the confideration of the great
fufferings of Jefus Chrift, and his departure to him was
gentle and placid,' as that of a faithful fervant, entering into
tlic joy of his Lord.
Isaac was alfo one of the firft fruits, and formerly knov/n
as a great forcerer, but he was made a miracle of .grace.
After his baptifm he became remarkably tender-hearted
and benevolent, and by his peculiar gifts was well qua-r
lified for his ofHce as fervant, both in the congregation
at Shekomeko, and in attending flrangers. His happy
<leparture y/as a mofl convincing proof of his living
^nith.
David, b3ptize4 in the year 1742, was a true lover
f>f the 1,01-d Jefus Chrifl, and a blelTed y/itncfs and laborer
3mong{|
Ch. VL Account of Gnadetihuetien, 9J
amongft his countrymen, whom he alfo ferved as inter-'
preter. He was once teftifying the truth of the Gofpel
to a white man who vifited Gnadenhuetten, and in the
courfe- of his converfation aflced him, how it happened, that,
though the white people could read and write, and knew
enough of our Lord's incarnation, fufFerings, and death,
they could yet be fo indifferent about him, an'd evea
hate him. The white man afked him in reply, whether
he could read; he anfwered : "I have five fignificant
*' letters, which I ftudy at home, and in the forell." The
European aiked with aftoniiliment, what letters they were:
David's anfwer was: -" They are the five wounds of my
*' crucified Savior, thefe I confider daily, and find alv/aya
" new leflbns for my heart."
Thomas was alfo a faithful minifter and blefied witnefs of
the truth among his countrymen. Some years after his death
feveral were converted, who owned that they had received
the firft convictions by means of the powerful teflimony
of this man, and could never after forget his tvords con-
cerning our Savior Jefus Chrift.
Jonas was John's afiiftant in teaching, and having a
particular gift in the leading of fouls, he was univerfally
beloved and efteemed. He was remarkably chearfui dur:«
ing his laft illnefs, predicted the hour of his departure,
and defired, that all the believing Indians prefent might
alTemble around his bed, to whom he delivered a moit
nioving farewell dlfcourfc, liovvlng from his inmoft foul,
reminding them of their former unhappy courfe as hea-^
then without God in the world, extolling the grace
of God now revealed to them in Chrift Jefus, and beg-
ging them with many tears to abide faithful unto the end,
and to follow the advice of their teachers. He then
added : " I lliall now foon go and fee ray Savior, and
*' thofe wounds which I have preached unto you, and
" by which I am ^healed.". Further he foretold, that
the enemy would repeat his endeavors to feduce and con-
found them, and to fift tlieiii as wheat, advifing them
not
p6 JccGUid of Gnadenhiiettcn. P. II.
not to give ear to his infinuations, but to cleave to Jefus,
who would defend and prote£l: them. This difcourfe left
an indelible impreiTion upon all prefent, and was frequently-
repeated when his name was mentioned in converfation.
Having taken an affcftionate leave cf his wife, he addreffed the
miffionary, Chriftian Henry Rauch, with a chearful counte-
nance, faying: " May I not hope foon to depart? I am
" weary and wifhto reft, fori have finifhed my work;" and
immediately expired.
Abraham, another of the firft fruits, was a Chief much re-
fpe<Sled on account of his wifdom and grave deportment. He
was appointed Elder of the congregation at Shekomeko, and
in this office maintained a very dillinguiflied charafter, pof-
feffing the efteem of all the Brethren and Sifters. His wife,
Sarah, v/as a faithful afliftant ia the care of the women, and
diftinguifhed herfelf by her good underftanding and pro-
priety of conduct.
Dreadful as the fmall-pos appears to the Indians in gene-
ral, the believers notwithftanding ftiowed but little fear.
The chearful, contented, and happy difpofition of thofe who
departed this life by means of this contagion, v/as edifying
to all who were witnefles of it, and many wifhed foon to fol-
low them into a blifsful eternity •, for the grace of God pre-
vailed m.oft powerfully throughout the whole congregation.
Among thofe Indians who refided this year in Bethlehem,
was a woman, near eighty years old, and quite blind. She
had laft year expreffed a wifti, to be brought to Bethlehem,
declaring, that if ^v.t. could only reach that place, fhe fhould
be baptized and go to God. At length, after a year's delay,
her friends, who were enemies to the Gofpel, refolved to
comply with her requeft ; and putting her into a cart, which
they drew themfelves, they reached Bethlehem after a te-
dious jourrtey of twenty days. Here Cie heard the Gofpel
with great eagernefs, but falling Tick, began moft earneftly
to beg for baptifm, which was adminiftered to her on her
death-bed. After this awful and blelTed tranfadtion (he ex-
claimed, " Now my time is come j I fhall now go home and
^^ fee tlie Lord mv Savior* This was wanting a year ago, I
■ " always
Ch. VI. Account of Gnachnhiietten. ^j
" always fald, that I mufl: firft come to Bethlehem and be
** baptized, and then I (hould depart this life." The day fol-
lowing, in the morning, flie fell afleep in the Lord.
Towards the clofe of the year, Bifhop Spangenberg and
other Brethren paid a vifit to the Indians in Wajomick, by
whom, according to Bifhop Spangenberg's exprefhon, they
were received as angels, fent from God, and their words heard
with uncommon eagernefs. The aim of this vifit was, to
preach the word of the crofs to thefe Indians alfo, and to
eftablifh a covenant of friendfliip between them and the Ma-
hikan nation, to which moft of the believing Indians be-
longed, the Brethren having not yet given up all hopes of
eftablifliing a fettlement in thofe parts.
CHAPTER VII.
i74-7> 174-8.
Summary View of the internal Regulations of the Con^
gregation at Gnadenhueiten. Beginning of a Mijfton
in Shomokin. Cammerhof^ s troublefome Journey to
that Place.
THE Indian congregations In Gnadenhuetten and Frie-
denshuetten now received their proper regulations,
though the latter place was by degrees entirely forfaken.
Their form of worfhip was the fame as that in all other fet-
tlements of the United Brethren, as far as circumftances
would admit. The congregation met twice a day, early in
the mornin^g and in the evening after their work, to fing and
pray, and fometimes to hear a difcourfe upon the text of
Scripture appointed for the day. By thefe difcourfes, the
miffionaries endeavored gradually to make their people
better acquainted with all the faving truths of the Gofpel.
Several parts of the Scriptures, tranflated iato the Mahi«
PartIL H kan
^8 Account of Gnadenhuetten. P. 11.
kan language, were alfo publicly read and expounded. A
peculiar bieffing relied upon thefe meetings, as likewife upon
their fmglng hymns in fellowfliip.
Children of baptized parents were baptized foon after
their birth, but the baptifm of adults was always adminiftered
on Sundays, or other feftival days. The catechumens re-
ceived previous inftru£l;ions in the leading truths of the Chrift-
ian religion, and were publicly interrogated concerning their
future views. After they had declared their fentiments, they
were abfolved by impofition of hands, and then baptized in
the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghoft,
and after folemn prayer and thankfgiving, the blefling of the
Lord was pronounced over them.
The particular meetings of the baptized and communicants
were held here in the fame order, as they had been formerly
regulated in Shekomeko. The children had likewife their
meetings, in which they were addrefled in a manner fuitable
to their capacities. Meetings were alfo held feparately with
the married people, widowers, widows, fingle Brethren,
fingle filters, boys and girls, in which each of thefe divifions
of the congregation were exhorted to be made partakers of
the bleffings, purchafed for them in their refpe<Sfcive ftations,
by the merits of Chrift Jefus, that they might learn to (how
forth his praifc, both in foul and body.
The Holy Communion was adminiftered to the communi-
cants every month. This great and folemn tranfadion con-
tinued to be attended with the moft diftinguiihed bieffing,
powerfully ftrengthening their faith and hope. The Indians
therefore called the communion day, the great day, and fuch
indeed it was, for the mlflionaries could never find words
fufficient to extol the power and grace of God, revealed on
thefe occafions.
■ The miihonaries were likewife earneftly engaged in faith-
fully caring for each individual foul, and in leading them
forward with gentlenefs, wifdom, and patience, following
the dire£l:ions of the Spirit of God. In providing for the
women, the wives of the miffionaries, and alfo Indian
fillers,
Cli. VII. Account qf Gnadenhuetten. 9^
fifters, appointed for that purpofe, aflifhed with great fuccefs,
and in this view their prefence was required in all the con-
ferences relating to the whole congregation. It was required
of thofe, who were thus entrufted with the care of fouls^
not only to queftion every individual concerning the ilate of
their minds, previous to the Holy Communion, but that
they fliould at other times be ready to hear and confider the
complaints and remarks of each member of the Congrega-
tion.
In the converfations held by the mifhonarles -with the In-
dian affiftants, they endeavored to inftil fcriptural principles
into their minds ; they alfo attended to their remarks and
propofals, promoting true brotherly love among them, as
fellow-laborers in the woik of the Lord ; that thus, by their
united exertions, the welfare of the congregation m.ight be
furthered. It muft be owned, to tlie glory of God, that
moil of them walked worthy of their important office, be-
ing refpe£led by the whole congregation. Occafionally the
daily meetings were committed to the care of the moft ex-
perienced and gifted amongft them. Their difcourfes were
animated, plain, and powerful, and it gave peculiar fatif-
fa£tion to the miffionaries, to find fuch an apoftolic fpirit
veiling upon them. They frequently heard with great emo-
tion, how zealoufly thefe afliflants preached falvation by the
death of Jefus, being filled with fervent defii"e to lead fouls to
Chrift : they always made the Scriptures the foundation of their
difcourfej adding, " Thus hath God, our Creator, loved us;
" this he hath done to fave us ; every finner may approach
*' confidently unto him. Thus nus have been taught j we have
^' received the Gofpel and experienced the truth of It."
Sometimes they met with oppofitlon. Once a favage de-
clared to them, " That he had firmly refolved to continue
" in his Indian belief and manner of living •, that he had
" once endeavored to reform, and in this view fpent feme
*' time with a chriftian morallft, who told him what he ought
** to do, but lived contrary to his own precepts; that he had
f alfo reCded a long time among tlie white people, who had
H 2; '^ the
lOd Account of Gnadenhaeiten, P. 11.
** the great hook, which taught them how to live, but that tliey
" lived like Indians, committing a;ll manner of evil ; in
** fhort, that he had never feen a man who lived agreeably
^ to the diredlions contained In that book." The Indian
afiiftants anfwered with great chearfulnefs : " Obferve our
" teachers, they live according to the precepts contained in
** the great Book, we alfo endeavor to do it, and are happy
" in fo doing." Others, who acknowledged the excellency
of the dotSlrine, declared, " that it would be very impolitic
" in them not to have bad hearts, left the white people, who
*' were now afraid of them, chiefly on account of their bad
*' hearts, fhould afterwards do with them what they pleafed."
The believers contradicted this aflertion, by quoting their
own example: " When the traders come," f.iid they, " and
*' offer their rum to you, you fufFer yourfelves to be imme-
" diately deceived; you get drunk, and then they do with
" you what they pleafe, therefore your bad hearts cannot dc-
" fend you againft them, but make you an eafy prey to their
*' cunning. But when they come to us, we refufe their rum,
" and thus they cannot treat us as they pleafe ; pur hearts,
" which believe in Jefus, refift their temptations and defend
'* us againft them."
With regard to rules and orders, they were always made
in the council of the congregation, and perfons nominated
to watch over their due performance. The miffionaries gave
particular attention to a very circumfpecl education of the
youth of both fexes, in the fear and admonition of the Lord,
and in this view a weekly conference was held with the pa-
rents.
Befides their labor in the congregation, the miflionaries
never omitted to follow thofe who had ftrayed, with love and
patience, and in this blefled work received much help from
the Indian afiiftants. When any poor loft fl:ieep returned to-
the congregation, the joy of the flock was great ; but when
members of the congregation condu(£led themfelves in fuch
a manner, that they could no longer be fuffered to dwell
in the place^ forrow was as general. Sometimes thofe,
who
Ch. VII. Account of Gnadenhuetten. lOi
who would not hearken to advice, were publicly recom-
mended to the prayers of the congregation, but if any re-
f ufed reproof and did not leave the place of his own accord,
notice was given, that he could no longer be confidered as an
inhabitant of Gnadsnhuetten. Though this was always an
affliilive expedient, yet the milFionaries could not a6t other-
wife, unlefs they had fuffered the congregation to degenerate
into a corrupt and mixed multitude. They feared nothing
more than a Laodicean courfe. When the leaft fymptom of
this appeared, they ceafed not to cry unto the Lord, until a
new fire of grace and love was kindled ; and thus ftrengthened,
they proceeded with renewed courage. By keeping up a
continual intercourfe with the Elders at Bethlehem, they re-
ceived great fupport, and were encouraged by frequent vifits
and letters received from them, which they communicated to
the congregation.
When a believer obtained the end of his faith, and de-
parted this life rejoicing, it gave occafion to all the furvivors,
to examine their hearts, whether they were duly prepared to
commend their fouls to the Lord Jefus, whenever he fliould
call them hence.
The Indian congregation having continued almoft: uninter-
rupted in the above-mentioned pleafmg and regular courfe till
1754, 1 fhall only take notice of a few remarkable occurrences.
At the fynods of the Brethren, two of which were held in
Pennfylvania in the year 1747, the care of the Indian million,
and the propagation of the Gofpel in general, was a chief
obje61: of confideration. Some Indian deputies were pre-
fentat thefe and other fynods, and approved themfelves ufe-
ful and aftive members. The converfion of the negroes in
New York was likewife taken into confideration, and Bro-
ther Chrillian Froelich received a commiffion, to attend and
preach the Gofpel to them, as circumftances vi'^ould permit.
Various journies were made to Shekomeko, Pachgatgoch,
and Wechquatnach, both by the European and Indian Bre-
thren from Bethlehem and Gnadenhuetten. In fpring, the
miiBonary, Martin Mack, went again to.Shomokin, andhav-
H 3 ing
102 Mijfiott at Shomokin. P. II.
ing agreed with Shikellimus and his council, refpeQing the
terms, upon which a blackfmith fhould be fent by the Bre-
thren to dwell with them, the Brethren, John Hagen and
Jofeph Powel, went thither in June, to build an houfe for
this purpofe, and having finifhed it in a few weeks, Brother
AnthonySchmidt and his wife removed to Shomokin that fame
month and began to work. Brother Hagen having departed
this life in September, Brother Mack and his wife went to
Shomokin to fuperiutend the new mifhon. They vifited the
Indians diligently, and improved every opportunity to preach
the Gofpel to them. But they found much caufe to lament
the abominations pra£lifed here. Among other inftances of
favage barbarity, they faw one of the moft lamentable na-
ture: a Mahikan woman, having loft one child already by
poifon, had the misfortune to lofe her laft child only four
years old, by the fame means, applied by a noted murderer.
Her violent lamentations at the grave and continual repeti-
tion of the words, " The forcerer has robbed me of my only
" child ; ah ! the forcerer has murdered my only child;" moved
all, who heard her, with the greateft compaflion. Sifter Mack
endeavored to comfort her, by defcribing Jefus Chrift as
the friend and Savior of all the diftrefled. During this conver-
fation flie alked with great earneftnefs ; *' Do you believe,
" that my child is now with your God?" — " I do," replied Sif-
ter Mack, " becaufe our God is a friend of the children ; and
*' if your learn to knov/ him, you may in eternity, find your
** child with him ; for he is not only our God but alfo your
" God, and loves all men. He loved them fo much, that he
f' becamiC a man and died for you and me, that we all might
" be favedif we receive him, &c." This declaration left an
abiding impreflion upon the mother and her hufband.
Brother M?xk had alfo the pleafure to fee, that a girl of
thirteen years old, upon hearing his teftimony, turned with
her whole heart to the Lord. She often told her mother,
how fhe ccnverfed with Jefus ; even after her parents left
iShomokin, fhe ' remained in the fame mind, and, when-
ever an opportunity offered, fent word to Sifter Mack that
Ch. VII. Mijioii at Shomokhj. I03
{he ftill loved our Savior. After fome time (he fell fick,
and perceiving that her diiTolution was at hand, earneftly
admonifhed her mother to love the Lord Jefus, and to re-
turn to the Brethren at Shomokin. Before her departure
file defired that a fmall token, by way of remembrance,
might be fent to Sifter Mack. With this her laft requeft the
parents complied, contrary to the ufual cuftom of the In-
dians, who generally bury the property of the deceafed with
them.
The refidence of the Brethren at Shomokin, was attended
with great expeuce and inconvenience, all neceflaries of life
being conveyed to them from Bethlehem. Shomokin being
a place, through which the Iroquois ufed to pafs in their way
to Philadelphia and Virginia, and when going out an hunting,
the Brethren there found a good opportunity of becoming ac-
quainted with a great part of that nation, and of preparing
the way, for the propagation of the Gofpel among them.
Several miffionaries, both in Bethlehem and Gnaden-
huetten, were now ftudying the Maquaw or Mohawk lan-
guage, the chief diale61: of the Iroquois, to qualify them-
felves for this work, and Brother Pyrlaeus, who had al-
ready become a proficient in the Mahikan language, fo
that he could inftru6t others and even compile a hymn-book
for the ufe of the congregation in Gnadenhuetten, was by
this time alfo able to inftruft in the Mohawk language, and
fpent his time, from four o'clock in the morning till late in
the evening, in this employment, except when prevented by
the duties of his office as minifter.
As the Indian languages had no words for many new
ideas and objedls, the Brethren were obliged to enrich them
with feveral Englifli and German words, and by degrees, cuf-
tom rendered thefe new terms intelligible. Several Indian
J3rethren at Gnadenhuetten were alfo defirous of learning
the German language, but they never made much progrefs.
But thofe Indian fingle Brethren and Sifters, who had re-
quefted and obtained leave to live at Bethlehem, and more
particularly the children, educated in the fchools, learnt
H 4 German
104 Account of GnadenhuStten. P. II.
German with eafe. Though the Brethren had purpofed
to fend the Indian children home, as foon as their parents
had built their cottages, yet it could not io generally be done,
for fome parents, perceiving that their children would be
much better educated in the Brethren's fchools than at home,
begged earneftly, that they might not be fent back. An In^
dian filler even bequeathed her two children to Brother
Spangenberg, that he might adopt and educate them for the
Lord. The children themfelves were extremely unwilling
to quit the fchools at Bethlehem, and many entreated fo
earneftly, that they at laft prevailed upon the Brethren ta
keep them. Even feveral children in Gnadenhuetten would
not reft, till their parents procured leave for them to go to
the Bethlehem fchools, and at that time their earneft and re*
peated requeft could not be denied, without the appearance
of cruelty. Nor was this meafure without its good effe£ls.
The evident proofs of the grace of God operating in the
hearts of thefe Indian children, gave great joy to their
teachers and overfeers, and care being taken that they ftiould
not lofe their native tongue, many of them became very
ufeful to the miffion by the knowledge they acquired of the
German or Englifh languages.
The fupport of the Indian congregation in Gnadenhuetr
ten was a principal obje£l of the attention of the Brethren
in the year 1747. It was an evident proof of a change of
heart, that the Indians went diligently to work, and planted
. the fields, portioned out to each family ; but not having land
fufiicient, the Brethren bought a neighboring plantation for
their ufe. This gave them great pfeafure. One of them
faid, " It feemed hitherto, as if we had lain in a (hort bed,
*' never able to ftretch at full length, but now we lie in a
"large one.'" A fa w-m ill being erefted at Gnadenhuetten,
many Indians had the means of earning money by cutting
timber and conveying it to Bethlehem in floats down the
Lecha. Hunting however remained the chief fupport of
the people, and from fifteen to twenty deer or bears were
frequently fliot in one day. If provifions proved fcarre,
I they
CK. VII. Mijfton at Shomolm. }o$
they got wild honey, chefnuts, and bilberries in the fo-
refts.
Still a continual fupply of provlfions was required from
Bethlehem ; for the Indians of Gnadenhuetten were fre-
quently vifited by various companies, chiefly Dclawares and
Shawanofe, whom they not only received with kindnefs,
but alfo entertained, rejoicing that thefe heathen had thus
an opportunity of hearing the Gofpel.
Nothing made fo good an impreflion upon the favages,as that
peace and harmony prevailing among the believers, and their
contentment amidft all troubles. This gave great weight to
their teftimony of Jefus Chrift, for it was evident that nothing
but faith in, and love to him could create that difplay of
benevolence and chearfulnefs in the condu<£l: of the Indian
Brethren, the reverfe of which appeared fo general in the
unconverted.
The vifits of favages were agreeable to the miiTionaries, as
they conceived hopes, that fome might be gained for Chrift ;
but fometimes proved troublefome, on account of their
wild and diforderly conduct. Circumfpedion was always
required in treating them properly. By feverity their fu-
ture vifits Avould have been prevented ; yet diforder could
not be permitted, left the believing Indians fhould fulFer.
The following mode feemed the moft prudent : Thofe, who,
excited by curiofity, came to pafs a day or two, were wel-
come. The Chriftian walk of the Indians proved edifying
to them, and the obfervance of the rules of the fettlement
prevented all mifchief. But if any exprefled an inclination
to live at Gnadenhuetten, they were then told, that drunk-
ennefs, fighting, games, &c. were not permitted ; and yet, with
every precaution, thefe evils could not be entirely prevented.
Thus twenty-fix Indians came from Pachgatgoch to Gna-
denhuetten, pretending that they wiftied to live there and
hear the Gofpel. There being no room for them in
Gnadenhuetten, they began to build in the neighborhood ;
but it was loon evident, that they were not fmcere, and their
converfation proved hurtful to the Chriftian Indians, Co that
even
jo6 Account of Gnadenhuetten. P. II.
even fome families were feduced. Thefe poor people with
thofe who left the congregation foon found reafon to re-
pent. One, named Gideon, expreffed his regret in the
following terms : " When I left you, I thought I might
*' ftill retain life in my heart, though I left the believers,
" but alas! I'finditfar otherwife: my other brethren, who have
" done the fame, are all fpiritually dead, and in purfuit of the
** world, and it would have been better for me to have re-
" mained with you."
In January 1748, Bifliop Cammerhof and Brother Jo-
feph Powel went to Shomokin. They fuffered fo much
on their journey from the great quantity of ice, water,
and fnow, that they were frequently in danger, and their
journal cannot be read without aftonifhment ; but the Lord
helped them through all difllcukies. The Bifliop found
by the. >vay feveral opportunities to preach the Gofpel with
good efFe£l: to bewildered Chriftians, and this proved fuf-
iicient confolation for all the fatigue and danger he had
endured.
The intention of his journey was to make fome regu-
lations, by which the Gofpel might be more eafily propa-
gated among the Iroquois, Shomokin being a central
town. He had feveral conferences not only with the Bre-
thren there, but with Shikellimus and his council, before
whom he bore a powerful teftimony of the falvation pur-
chafed by the death of the Lord Jefus Chrift, which left
a deep impreflion upon them. On his return, he expe-
rienced many fingular proofs of the gracious providence
of God, who heard his prayers. The Brethren in Beth-
lehem confidered it their duty to encourage thofe in Sho-
mokin by frequent vifits, their fituation being attended
with many difficulties. Their houfe was frequently in-
jured by the violent ftorms of thunder and rain prevail-
ing in that diftrid". Sometimes the plantations were de-
ftroyed by hail ; earthquakes fliook their dw^ellings, and
filled them with apprehenfion : but their principal danger
arofe from the drunkennefs of the Indians, whofe fury
iu
Ch. VII. Miffion at Shomokm, 107
in that flate threatens the lives of all who interfere with
them. The Brethren were alfo often alarmed by parties
of warriors of different nations, then at war with the Cata-
was, pafling to and fro with captives. They treated
their prifoners with great cruelty, and the Brethren, as
white people, were often in danger of being murdered
in their riots. But their confidence in God remained un-
fhaken j otherwife, witnefling fuch horrid abominations, and
fiibjefted to great abufe and infult, their courage and faith
might have been fubdued, had not the hand of God in mer-
cy fupported them.
About this time, the miffionaries Martin Mack and
David Zeilberger went to Long Ifland, and Great Ifland,
fituated in the weft branch of the Sufquehannah, above
Otftonwackin. They found many people ill, but did not
venture to give them medicine ; for had only one of the
patients died, the Indians, without hefitation, would have
blamed the miffionaries. Being exceedingly alTe£led at the
fight of thefe people, addicted to every heatheniftr vice,
and now tormented by famlj)e and ficknefs, they endea-
vored to defcribe to them the love of Jefus Chrift their Sa-
vior, ever ready to help all thofe who believe in him.
But they found few difpofed to hear ; the Indians quot-
ing the bad example of the Chrillians In the neighbor-
hood, as a fufficient caufe for reje£ling their dodlrine.
Thus they returned with forrowful hearts from their la-
bor; having feveral times been in danger of lofing their
Jives, by the brutality of the favages.
[ io8 ]
CHAPTER VIII.
1748, 1749.
Synod held by the Brethren in ^itopehill. Occur--
■ rences in Gnadenhiietten. Johannes de Wattevilk*^
Arrival. He goes in fearch of fever al fi raying In'
dians. Awakening in Meniolagomekah, Various
Accounts,
SOON after Bifbop Cammerhof s return from Shomo-
kin, a fynod was held in Quitopehill j in which the
Iniflion among the Indians was confidcred with much at-
tention, and the following principles renewed and ap-
proved :
1. The Brethren do not think, that they are called to
baptize whole nations; for it is more to the purpofe,.to
gain one converted foul, than to perfuade many to take
merely the name and outward form of Chriftianity.
2. We are not difcouraged by the dangers and hard-
ihips attending the labor among the heathen, but alv/ays
bear in remembrance, that our Lord endured diflrefs and
death itfelf, to gain falvation for us, and refled not till
the great work was finifhed. If, after the mod ftrenuous
exertions of foul and body, one foul is gained for Chriil,
we have an ample reward.
3. We will continue to preach nothing to the heathen
but Jefus and him crucified, repeating the fame tefllmony
of his Gofpel, till the hearts of the heathen are awakened
to believe ; being fully convinced, that the pov/er of the
crofs is the word of God, which is alone able to bring
fouls from darknefs into light.
4. The miflionaries fhould never rejeft any heathen, not
even the moft abandoned and profligate, but confider thern
Ch. VIII. Account of Gnadenhuetten. I0<^
as perfons, to whom the grace of Jefus Chrift ought to be
offered.
A remarkable opportunity foon offered to a£l: according
to the laft rule. A diffolute Indian woman came to Gna-
denhuetten, pretending to have the bed views, but fecretly
endeavoring to feduce feveral perfons. Her evil intentions
being fully proved, ftie was called upon to appear before
the Indian affillants, and informed, that this town was
built only for fuch, who being weary of fin and the fervice
of Satan, were defirous of being faved, but that falvation
extended even to the greateft harlots, murderers, and thieves,
if they were truly penitent, fince God our Savior had be-
come a man, (hed his blood and died for them alfo.
Therefore Indians of this defcription were likewife wel-
come, if they truly wiflied to be delivered from the power
of evil. But that Gnadenhuetten was not a place of re-
fidence for fuch, who perfift in fin j nor would fuch per-
fons find companions here; that (lie therefore mufl now
leave the town, but as foon as fhe (liould fincerely change her
mind, (he (hould be received with ple.ifure.
As foon as (he appeared before this venerable company,
{he was overcome with awe ; and, during the above addrefs,
her very countenance befpoke the condemnation of her
confcience. She then left the houfe with tears, and re-
moved to another place. About a year after, the Bre-
thren had the pleafure to fee this woman converted. She
married an heathen Indian, who was afterwards much dif-
figured in a drunken frolic. This misfortune caufed the
poor man ferioully to refleft on his condu£l, and his wife
reminding him of the Brethren, they both went to Beth-
lehem and Gnadenhuetten, declaring their wifh to know
by experience, that God had fared the Indians alfo, by
the fiiedding of his precious blood. They believed, were after-
wards baptized, and named Daniel and Ruth.
Some inftances alfo occurred about this tirije, ihowing
the pernicicas influence of fedu£lion among- the convert-?
ed Indians, which much afflicted the mifiionaries.
Another
no Account of Gnadenhtietten. P. If,
Another fynod being held at Bethlehem in June 1748,
fome of the moil approved Indian Brethren were appoint-
ed afliftants in the work of God in their nation. For
their encouragement this was done in a folemn and public
manner. Nicodemus (one of their number) departed this
life in Gnadenhuetten in Auguft. He was a man of a dif-
tinguifhed character, and his converfion was a miracle of
grace.
As an heathen he was exceeded by none in the prac-
tice of evil, and much given to drunkennefs. On hear-
ing the word of the crofs, he was one of the firft, who expe-
rienced its faving power, and was baptized in December 1 742.
From a turbulent fpirit he became patient, lowly and hum-
ble in heart, but ftrong in faith. In his walk and con-
verfation he was an example to all, and whoever knew him
before, beheld him now witli amazement. By degrees, he be-
came much enlightened in the divine truths of the Gof-
pel, and was appointed elder of the congregation at Gna-
denhuetten, in which office he was univerfally refpe£led.
His walk with his God and Savior was uninterrupted, and
his faith daily ftrengthened by contemplating the fufFerings
and death of Jefus. He prayed without ceafing, both for
himfelf and his countrymen, whom he greatly loved. If
he perceived any infnicerity among them, his concern was
evident. He was very attentive to new objeds, and as
his manner of fpeaking was very figurative, his converfa^
tion proved highly inftru£live and ufeful. Once looking
at the mill at Gnadenhuetten, he addrefled a miffionary :
*^ Brother," laid he, " I difcover fomething that rejoices
" my heart. I have feen the great wheel and many little
" ones ; every one was in motion and feemed all alive, but
" fuddenly all ftopt, and the mill was as dead. I then
*' thought ; furely all depends upon one wheel, if the water
" runs upon that, every thing elfe is alive, but when that
" ceafes to flow, all appears dead* Jufl: fo it is with my
" heart, it is dead as the wheel ■, but as foon as Jefu's blood
« flows upon it, it gets life and fets every thing in motion,
«' and
Ch. VIII. Account of Gnadenhuetten. \\ \
" and the whole man being governed by it, it becomes evi-
*' dent, that there is life throughout. But when the heart
" is removed from the crucified Jefus, it dies gradually,
" and at length all life ceafes." Upon another occafion
he faid, " I crofTed the Lecha to-day in a boat, and being
" driven into the rapid current, w^as forced down the flream
" and nearly overfet. I then thought ; this is exaftly the
" cafe of men who know not the Lord Jefus Chrift, they
'' are irrefiflibly hurried away by fin, cannot help them-
" felves and in danger of being eternally loft : but as foon
" as our mighty Savior takes the helm, we receive power
*' to withftand the rapid ftream of this world and fin."
When the doctrine of the Holy Ghoft became more clear
to his mind, he once compared his body to a canoe, and his
heart to the rudder, adding, " That the Holy Ghoft was
" the mafter fitting at the rudder and direding the veflel.'*
He was very diligent in his attendance on the heathen vl-
fitors, and his unafi^eded and folid converfation, but ef-
pecially his fervent prayers in their behalf, made a lafting-
imprefllon upon them. In his laft illnefs, he thought much
of the refurrcdlion, and faid : '* I am now an old man and
" fhall foon depart to the Lord ; my body will foon be
" interred in our burying-ground ; but it will rife moft
" glorious ', and when our Savior fhall call all thofe, who
*' have fallen afleep in him, they will rife to newnefs of
" fife and glory." His countenance appeared at the fame
time as ferene as that of an angel ; he repeated his ardent
defire to be at home with Jefus, and afliired his friends,
that his joy in the Lord had almoft overpowered all izn-
fation of pain, adding, *' I am poor and needy and there-
" fore amazed at the love of my Lord Jefus Chrift, who is
** always with me." Thus he remained chearful, till his
happy departure, which fully proved the reality of his faith.
Among the Indians baptized in the year 1 748, two merit
attention, Chriftlan Renatus and Anna Caritas. The for-
mer was an inhabitant of Meniolagomekah, a celebrated
warrior of the Delaware nation, of a gigantic form, and
rendered
1 1 2 Vlfttation held by Bijhop J. von Watteville. P. II.
rendered terrible by his exploits. He was formerly a great
drunkard, and noted throughout the country as a monfter
of iniquity. But true faith in the Lord Jefus changed his
condudl:. Being prefent at a baptlfm in Gnadenhuetten,
he was fo much afFefted, that he could not refrain from
tears. He owned with furrow his former fmful life, and
fought and found pardon and peace in the redemption of
Jefus. The report of his converfion and baptifm caufed
great aftonifhment among the Indians and white people,
many of whom came to Gnadenhuetten to examine into
the truth of it. To all thefe vifitors, he joyfully declared
what the Lord had done for his foul. Anna Caritas, was
the firil fruits of the Shawanofe, a fenfible old woman.
She had long refided among the white people, but felt an
impulfe to fee the Brethren. Her employers, who greatly
efteemed her, as a good fervant and houfekeeper, could not
perfuade her to (lay, but (he went to Bethlehem in the
depth of winter, believed in Jefus Chrift, and would
not depart, till her urgent requeft for baptifm v/as
granted.
The years 1748 and 1749, were alfo diftinguiflied in an
extraordinary manner by the return of many loft fheep.
Brother David BlfchofF was unwearied in following them,
God alfo laid a particular bleffing upon the fervices of Bi-
fhop Johannes von Watteville, who went in September
1748, to North America, to hold a vifitation in the Bre-
thren's fettlements. One great obje£l: was to become ac-
quainted with the Indian congregation. For this purpofe
he went to Gnadenhuetten in September ; ftaid three days^
preached the Gofpel with fervor, and rejoiced at the grace
prevailing there. Some Brethren arriving from St. Tho-
mas, at the fame time, all joined in praifing God our Sa-
vior for his abundant love to the poor human race, and for
the power of his atonement, evidently difplayed on the
heathen of different nations and colors. The Bifhops
von Watteville and Cammerhof proceeded with the Bre-
thren Martin Mack and David Zeilherger to Wajomick,
Ne&o-
Ch. VIII. Vifitation held by Bi/Jjop J. von JVattcv'ille. 113
Nefkopeko, Wabhallobank, and Shomokin. The former
fpent three weeks, on this journey; vifiting the ShawanofCi
Chikafas, and Nantikoks, preaching everywhere the precious
Golpel of Jefus Chriil:. In Shomokin he renewed the co-
venant made between the chief Shikellimus in the name
of the Iroquois and Count Zinzendorf, from whom he
delivered a prefent, and received the following anfwer :
*' Tell Johanan" (this being the name given to the Count
by the Indians), " that his brethren the Six Nations fii-
" lute him, for they love him, and defire him to falute
*' all his Brethren, whom they love likewife."
In December he went with Blfliop Cammerhof and Na-
thaniel Seidel to Shekomeko, Wechquatnach, and Pach-
gatgoch. In Shekomeko they found every thing deftroy-
ed, except the burylng-ground. Their chief obje6l was
to look after the lofl {heep, and they were fo fortunate
as to find many of them either at home, or at their hunt-
ing huts. God bleffed their endeavors with great fuccefs ;
though the contrail between thofe who had continued fledfaft,
and the backfliders, was evident in their very looks and be-
havior. The miffionaries were not difcouraged, but
preached the Gofpel to them again, earneftly exhorting
them to confefs all their deviations with contrite hearts
before the Lord, to crave his mercy and pardon, and to
devote themfelves anew unto him, who has received gifts
for the rebellious alfo. They allured the penitent, that
the congregation, whom they had offended, was ready and
willing to readmit them to fellowfhip. This meflage of
confolation, had the defired efFe£l:. The deluded people
confefled their tranfgreffions Muth many tears. Nathaniel
faid, " I know, that I belong to my Savior, and to his
*' people. My horfes often ftray far into the woods, but
" always return to my hut, and thus I will return and feek
" our Savior and the congregation." He added, *' If a coal
•*' is taken from the fire, it lofes its heat, and is extin-
" guifhed ; thus alfo my heart has loft its fervor, having
" ftrayed from the fellowlhip of the believers."
Part II. I AH
I !4 Vtfttation held by Bifjop J. von WatteviUe, P. 11.
All who bemoaned their unfaithfulnefs, received a pub-
lic aflurance of the pardon of t^iC congregation, having
previoufly made known their fituation to the miflionaries.
Mod of them were alio foon after readmitted to the Holy
Communion, and the Brethren experienced on thefe occa-
fions fomething of that joy, which is in heaven over re-
penting finners. They had alfo the comfort to baptize
twenty Indians, among whom were two boys.
Upon their return, thefe three Brethren went to a town
in the Jerfeys, where Mr. Brainard had preached the Gof-
pel to the Indians, baptized about fifty, and made fome
good regulations among them. They wiflied him all pof-
fible fuccefs. The Brethren in Bethlehem were alfo of
opinion, that they ought not in the lead to interfere with
the labors of this good man among the Indians, but rather
to fupport him with their prayers.
■ In 1749, thirteen Indian boys, educated in the fchools
at Bethlehem, Nazareth, and Fredericftown, were with a ne-
groe boy baptized. This tranfa£lion made a blefled im-
prefTion upon the European and Indian Brethren. The
cuflom of drefTing the catechumens, who were to be bap-
tized, in white, was now firft introduced into the Indian
miflion.
About this time two grown perfons were baptized in
Bethlehem, one of whom called Kepofh, had formerly been
bead-chief of the Delaware nation, and was now near
eighty years of age. Many years ago he was taken ill
and to all appearance died. The Indians having made
every necelTary preparation, fent mcflages to the different
towns, to invite his friends to the burial, but at the end of three
days, to the afionifhment of all prefent, he awoke from
his fvvoon. He wondered at the number furrounding his
bed; knew nothing of the intention of their meeting, nor
what had happened to him. He informed them, that a
fhining figure of a man clothed in white robes, '^ad ap-
peared to him as flying in the air, who, lifting him up
from the earth, fliowed him a catalogue of his, and
his
Ch. VIII. Vifitation held by Bipop J. von l^ntievtlle. 1 15
his people's fins, exhorting him to return and reform his
life, and to reprove the Indians, on account of their wick-*
ed ways. This ftory was well knov/n among the Indians,
before they heard the Gofpel. It is alfo certain, that the
man actually flrove to amend his life, but finding no power
in himfelf to refill evil, and remembering the injunc-
tions laid upon him, believed the Gofpel^ as' foon as \k.
heard it. He was called Solomon in baptifm, and became
a very refpe£l;able and ufeful member of the congrega-
tion. His eldeft fon had ftrong conviftions and an inward call
to turn to the Lord, but the hopes to fucceed his father in
his dignity, made him long heiitate. At length, not able
-to refill the powerful operations of the Holy Ghoft, and-
-being anew awakened by attending the baptifm of fome
Indians, he immediately went to Bilhop von Watteville,
owned his loft ellate, and begged to be baptized. His re-
queft was granted, not long after the baptifm of his fa-
ther.
Brother David Bruce was now appointed to the care of
the Chriftian Indians in Pachgatgoch and Wechquatnach,
who fince the before-mentioned vifit had again formed a
regular fettlement. He chiefly lived in an houfe in Wech-
quatnach belonging to the Brethren, called Gnadcnfee, buit
fometimes refided at Pachgatgoch, whence he paid vifits to
Weftenhuck, by invitation from the head-chief of the Ma-
hikan nation, fowing the feed of the Gofpel, where-
ever he came. But as he was not ordained, Bifhop Cam-
merhof with Brother Gottlieb Bezold, went again in March
1 749, to Shekomeko, Pachgatgoch, and Wechquatnach, to
ftrengthen the believers, and to adminifter the Sacraments
to them. Twenty Indians were then added to the church
by baptifm. Brother Bruce remained in this ftation till
his happy departure out of time, which, to the great grief
of the Indian congregation, took place this year. He was
remarkably chearful during his illnefs, and his converfa-
tion edified all who faw him. Perceiving that his end ap-
proached, he called the Indian Brethren prefent, to his bed-
I 2 fide.
Il6 Miffion begun at Meniolagomekah. P, IL
{Ide, and prefllog their hands to his brend, befought them
fervently, to remain faithful unto the end; and immedi-
ately after fell afleep in the Lord. His funeral was com-
mitted to one of the affiftants, who delivered a powerful dif-
Gourfe upon the folemnoccafion to the company prefent, among
whom were many white people, who had often heard our
late Brother's teftimony of the truth with blelhng. Bro-
ther Abraham Bueninger was appointed his fuccelibr, and
at leifure hours was very diligent m inftrudling the chil-
dren.
■ BifhopJohannesvonWatteville having been on avifitationta
tht negroe-niilhon in St.Thomas,returned to North America in
June. Meanwhile the Brethren Cainmerhof, Nathaniel Sei-
del, and others went to Meniolagomekah, upon repeated in-
vitations from the Chiefs. Their labor was not in vain,
and a door was opened there for the Gofpel. The chief
of this place, a young man of rank, generally called George
Rex,,' and his wife, were foon after baptized in Bethlehem,
and both became ufeful alTiftants in the Indian congrega-
tion. Soon after this the Chief's grandfather, being an
hundred years of age, and quite blind, was alfo baptized,
and fell happily alleep in Jefus, foon after his baptifm.
From that time forward, Meniolagomekah was diligently vi-
fited by the miflionaries ; and many of the inhabitants re-
ceiving the Gofpel, a regular eflabliftiment of Chriftian Indians
\v?.s formed, and a feparate burylng-ground allotted them.
This place being only one day's journey from Bethlehem,
it was generally attended by the miflionaries frpm Gnaden-
huetten, and by them ferved with the word and Sacraments.
The communicants came alfo occafionally to Gnadenhuetten,
and partook of the Communion there.
In May, many of the Indians of Gnadenhuetten w^ent to
Bethlehem, to fee three Chriftian Greenlanders, who were
returning to their native country, conduced by the late mif-
fionary Matthew Stach. There were at the fame time in Beth-
lehem, a boy and a young Indian woman from Berbice in South
America, fo that the Brethren there had the fatisfadion to
fee
Ch. VIII. Account cf Gnadenhifctien. I i 7"
fee heathen of three different nations and hinguages, namely
Arawacks, living in the 6th, Mahikans and Delawares
in the 41(1, and Greenlanders in the 65th degree of north
huitude. In this month, thirty beheving Indians who for-
merly removed from Shekomeko to Wechquatnach, went
to live at Gnadenhuetten. This town now became an
obj eft of admiration to the M'hole country, and the increafing
number of its inhabitants, afforded a convincing proof of the
power of the Gofpel, to change the hearts of men. Evil
reports were not wanting, and thus thefe people had
aifo their fliare of the reproach of Chrift. This was like-
wife the cafe with the fmall congregation at Meniolago-
mekah, where the enemy with much pains influenced the
minds of the people, by bitter and falfe accufations. Yet
they could not fucceed ; chiefly owing to the firmnefs of the
above-mentioned Chief, named Auguftus in baptifm, a man of
a very found underftanding and Itrong in faith. He ex-
plained all things fully to the believers, declaring his mind
to the following efFe£l : " I know both the Brethren, and
*' their intentions well. When I hear bafe charges -againfl
"them, I give them no credit; firft chufing, by enquiry,
*' to explore the truth. I know that Satan envies the
*' peace my brethren enjoy, and therefore thus afTaults
*' us." The converted Indians were alfo foon accuftomed
to be called Moravians, or Herrnhuthers. Thofe favages
alfo, who were enemies to the Gofpel, endeavored by various
inventions to confound the truth, A meflage was fent to
Gnadenhuetten to this efl^e£l : '' That a conjuror, who
*' was dving in Wajomick, had difappeared in the night,
" and two days after returned from Keaven, where God had
" told him, that he had appointed lacrifices for the In-
** dians, to atone for their fins, but had given the Bible to
*' the white people onlyj and though it contained many ex-
" cellent things, yet he confidered it as an abomination, that
"the Indians fliould walk in the fame way. He added,
" that the white people were wife and cunning, and if the
*' Indians meddled with them, they would all be devour-
I q ' " ed,
1 1 8 MiJJion begun at Memolagomehah. P. II.
" ed, efpecially their children, whom they ftrove to get into
"their power j further, that God had commanded him to
" make this known to dl the Indian tribes." The mef-
fenger added : " That the man who had been with God had
" fummoned all the Indians to meet on the river Suf-
*' quehannah, to hear him; after which he intended to
*' come to this town, to relate the affair himfelf, for the
" words he had heard were fo important to him, that he
*' could not keep them in his breafl." The Indian Bre-
thren heard this meflage with patience, but after afluring
the meifenger, that his employer had not feen the true
God, they preached the words of life to the deluded man
with great power and demonftration of the Spirit. The im-
preffion made upon the meflenger was fuch, that he not
only publilhed throughout the country what he had heard
at Gnadenhuetten, thus fruftrating the intentions of the
falfe prophet, but turned with all his heart unto the Lord,
and was baptized fome time after.
In July, deputies from the Six Nations arrived in Phi-
ladelphia to form an alliance with the Englifh government ;
and the Brethren Johannes von Watteville, Spangenberg,
Cammerhof, Pyrlaeus, and Nathaniel Seidel went likewife
thither, to renew w-ith them the covenant made between
the Brethren and the Six Nations. At the requeft of the
latter, the Brethren promifed to vifit their people,
In September Bilhop Johannes von Watteville went again
to Gnadenhuetten, and laid the foundation of a new church \
that built in 1746 being now too fmall, and the mif-'
fionaries now and then obliged to preach out of doors.
The Indian congregation alone confided of five hundred
perfons. In Odlober the Bifhops von Watteville and Spangen-
berg returned to Europe, Their labor in the Indian con^
gregation was bleffed with rich fruits. Spangenberg wag
fucceeded by Bifhop John Nitfchman \ and Bifhop Cammer^
hof continued indefatigably attentive to the converfion of
the heathen. In November he vifited the Indians at Sho^
mokin, and on th^ banks of the Sufquehannah.
A fchool
%
Ch. VIII. Account' of Gnadctihuetten, 1I9
A fchool of three clafles, for children, boys, and young
men, was eftablillied this year at Gnadenhuetten; and a
mailer appoi.ited for each clafs. MiftrefTes were alfo ap-
pointed, ffer the clafles of the girls and young women.
The Indian youth being very vv'iiling to learn, it was a
pleafure to their inftru6lors to fee their progrefs. A regu-
lation was alfo made for the maintenance of poor wi-
dows and orphans, who were placed in different families,
and provided, as relations, with every neceflary of life.
About this tiine Mr. Brainard and feveral of his Indian
converts vifited Gnadenhuetten.
Towards the end of the year the Indian congregation
fuffered a great lofs by the deccafe of the wife of the mif-
fionary Martin Mack, who had devoted all her time and
ftrength in the fervice of the Lord among the heathen,
to the great prejudice of her health. Her departure oc-
cafioned general forrow. Among others, who departed
this life in 1749, I will only mention Shikellimus in Sho-
inokin. Being the firft magiftrate and head-chief of all
the Iroquois Indians, living on the banks of the Sufque-
hannah, as far as Onondago, he chought it incumbent
upon him, to be very circumfpe^l in his dealings with the
white people. He miftrulled the Brethren at firft, but
upon difcovering their fincerity, became their firm and real
friend. Being much engaged in political affairs, he had
learned the art of concealing his fentiments, and therefore
never contradidted thofe, w^ho endeavored to prejudice his
mind againft the mlffionaries, though he always fufpciled
their motives. In the laft years of his life he became lefs
referved, and received thofe Brethren who came to Sho-
mokin into his houfe. He alfo very kindly aflifted
them 'in building, and defended them againft the infults
of the drunken Indians, being himfelf never addided to
drinking, becaufe, as he exprefled it, he never wiflied to be-
come a fool. He had built his houfe upon pillars for
fafety, in which he always fhut himfelf up, y/hen any
drunken frolic was going on in the village. In this houfe
I 4 BiOiop
110 Bi/Jjop Cammerhof^s Journey to Omndagb. P. II.
Bifhop Johannes von Watteville and liis company vifited,
and preached the Gofpel to him. It was then,, that the
Lord opened his heart •, he liflened with great attention,
and at lafl with tears, refpeiled the do£lrine of, a cruci-
fied Jefus, and received, it in faith, as a meffage, full of
grace and truth. During his vifit in Bethlehem a remark-
able change took place in his heart which he could not
conceal. He found comfort, peace, and joy, by faith in his
Redeemer, and the Brethren confidered him as a candi-
date for baptifm, but hearing that he had been already
baptized by a Roman Catholic prieft in Canada, they only
endeavored to imprefs his mind with a proper idea of the
importance of this facramental ordinance, upon which,
he deftroyed a fmall idol, which he wore about his neck.
After his return to Shomokin the grace of God, beftow-
ed upon him, was truly manifeft, and his behaviour was re-
markably peaceful and contented. In this (late of mind he
was taken ill, was attended by Brother David Zeifberger,
and in his prefence, fell happily alleep in the Lord, in full
affurance of obtaining eternal life, through the merits o(
Jefus Chrift.
CHAPTER IX.
I75^y 1751-
Journey of ths Brethren Cammerbof and David
Zeifberger to Onondago, Account of Gnaden-
huetten, Bijhop Cammerbof s Deceafe, Various
Accounts.
THE moft remarkable occurrence in 1750, was the jour^
ney of Bifliop Cammerbof and Brother David Zeifber-
ger to Onondago, the chief town of the Iroquois. They
fet
Gh. IX. Bipjop Qammerlofs Journey to Omndag's, i %\
fet out from Bethlehem on the 14th of May, having ^
tained a palTport from the governor of Pennfylvania, re^
quelling all fubjefts of the Britifh government, to for-
ward their undertaking, and to lend them all pcflible allift-
ance. The Brethren Mack, Bezold, and Horfefield accom-
panied them to Wajomick, where they made an agreeable
acquaintance with the chiefs of the Nantlkok trlbe^ one of
whom, eighty-feven years of age, was a remarkably intel-
ligent man. Thefe chiefs defired to know why the Bre-
thren fo frequently vifited their people. This Bifliop Cam-
merhof anfwered, by preaching to thofe ailembled for that
purpofe, the will of God concerning their falvation. Invit-
ing them to Jefus, that they might be made partakers
of the riches of his grace ; adding, that this was the only
reafon, why the Brethren came Into their country. Tlils
declaration was well received, and proved a bleffing to many
at Wajomick. . An Iroquois of the Cajuga nation was
their guide, and conduced them to TIaogu, about one
hundred and fifty miles up the Sufquehannah. They fpent
the nights on flrore In huts made of the bark of trees,
and gave each night's lodging a name, the firfl letter of
which was cut into a tree by the Indians. Bifliop Cammer-
liof had the fatisfa£tion to find all the Indians v/hom he
had baptized on the banks of the Sufquehannah in a plcafing
courfe. They had remained faithful to the Gofpel, and their
meek and chearful behaviour proved that their fouls were
jilive in the faith of Jefus Chriil. Their heathen neighbors
came likewife to fee the Brethren, complaining, that the
former were entirely perverted fince their baptifm, not liv-
ing in their ufual Indian rnanner, nor ever joining in the
diverfions and cuftoms of their countrymen-, thus unin-
tentionally giving them fo good a chara£ler, that Bilhnp
Cammerhof greatly rejoiced, and praifed God for his goodnefs
towards them.
The inhabitants of TIaogu, a confiderable Indian town,
as well as thofe of other places, were furprized to find, that
the Brethren were going to Onondago, and were acquaint-
thelr
guide
122 Bifiop Cammerhofs Journey to Onondaga. P. II.
guide purpofely fpread this account, wherever they came,
it gained them great refpeclt.
From Tiaogu they proceeded by land, and daily met with
difficulties, almoll infurmountable at firft appearance. On
the 19th of June they reached Onondago, the chief tov/n
of the Six Nations, fituated in a very pleafant and fruit-
ful country, and confifting of five fmall towns or villages,
through which the river Zinochfaa runs. They were lodg-
ed at the houfe of the head-chief GanafTateko, who re-
ceived them v/ith much cordiality. The intention of this
journey was, both to fulfil the promife of a vifit to the
great council of the Iroquois, made laft year to the de-
puties in Philadelphia, and to obtain leave for fome Bre-
thren to live either in Onondago, or fome other chief town
of the Iroquois, to learn the language, and to preach the
Gofpel to them.
Bifhop Cammerhof and David Zeifberger having notified
their arrival to the council in the ufual manner, they were
admitted and received as the deputies of the church of
the United Brethren on both fides the ocean, and their
meflage taken into confideration ; the council then confift-
ing of twenty-fix elderly men of venerable appearance.
The confultations upon the meflage lafted long, many
queftions were put to the Brethren, and many belts and
fatlioms of wampom delivered. Bifhop Cammerhof was the
fpeaker, and David Zeifberger, who fpoke the Maquaw
language fluently, interpreted. Ganaflateko was the fpeaker
on the part of the council. But as moft of the coun-
fellors were now and then in liquor, their bufinefs was
frequently interrupted. During a fufpenfe of this nature
the Brethren obtained permiffion from the council, to make
a journey into the country of the Cajuga and Senneka In-
dians, as far as Zonefhio, the , chief town of the latter.
They fpent about a fortnight on this journey, endeavor-
ing to bring the Gofpel among thefe tribes, but it prov-
ed a difficult and dangerous undertaking, not only as to
the journey itfelf, but efpecially through the ferocity of the
Indians,
Ch. IX. BlJ)}op Cammerhops Journey to Onondago. 123
Indians. They fuffered much from the favage and drunken
Sennekas, efpeclally from the women, who in a ftate of
intoxication were defperate. Thus their intention was fruf-
trated, and they afcribed their fafe return merely to the
merciful prefervation of God. On their arrival, they found
that the chiefs had not proceeded any further in their caufe.
They therefore renev/ed tlieir petition, and were fo fucceff.
ful, that on the 20th of July, with the ufual ceremonies,
they received the following decifion :
" That the Iroquois and the Brethren on both fides tlic
" great ocean fliould regard each other as brothers ; that this
*' covenant fhould be induToluble, and that two Brethrea
*' fliould have leave to live either in Onondago, or fome
" other town, to learn, their language."
The Brethren praifed God for the fuccefs of their appli-
cation, fet out Immediately on their return, and having
travelled about fixteen hundred miles, arrived in Betli-
lehem on the 1 7th of Auguft. The Indian congregation at
Gnadenhuetten rejoiced the more at their fafe return, hav-
ing been apprehenfive, that they might meet with fome mif-
chief among the Iroquois.
The miffionaries had meanwhile been a£live in leading
the converted Indians into a more regular courfe in their
marriages, without reflraining their native liberty too much.
Having duly confidered this matter in the conference of the
Indian affiftants, it was agreed, that the marriage cere-
mony Ihould be performed in the church, and the banns
regularly publiflied. The married people were alfo exhort-
ed, to condu£l themfelves in this ftate according to the
will of God, as revealed in the Holy Scriptures.
At this time there was great want of fuitable miffionaries
among the Indians. Thirty or forty Indians from Meniolago-
mekah, baptized and unbaptized, came hither botii on Sundays
and feftival days. The inhabitants found it difficult to lodge
them, and thus loft the opportunity of celebrating thofe days,
as they wiflied. The Elders therefore lamented, that they
fQul4 not fend a regular mil]ionary to Meniolagomekah^
nor
r 24 Various Accounts, P. H.
nor to tliofe places, M-here at tliat time the defire of the
people to hear the word of God was general ; for there was
a great awakening, which extended over the whole Indian
country, efpecially on the Sufqueliannah.
In many places the Indians met to converfe about God.
Nothing gave them more pleafure, than when a Brother
preached to them the word of life. Nathaniel Seidel and
David Zeifberger, who went to Europe, at the latter end of
this year, were commiiTioned to bring over fome afFiftants
for this work. Such opportunities were generally made
ufe of by the Indian Brethren, to write or dictate letters
to Count Zinzendorf, Bifhop von Watteville, or other friends
in Europe. Thefe letters contained a plain, yet nervous
declaration of their experience, were ufually communi-
cated to the congregation, and heard with much pleafure.
In Pachgatgoch, Bifnop Cammerhof and Brother Grube
preached and adminiftered the Sacraments this year. Bro-
ther Bueninger continued to fcrve this fmall congregation,
which encamped in huts around his cottage, and God blefl-
ed his labors. Moft of the baptized at Wechquatnach had
removed to Gnadenhuetten.
The Brethren at Bethlehem confidering that the inha-
bitants of the latter place might thereby be ,ftraitened for
land, purchafed a tradi of ground on the north fide of the
Lecha, which was portioned outr among the inhabitants by
drawing lots, to the fatisfaftion of all. Two Brethren
were appointed to keep watch during the meetings of the
congregation, partly on account of the danger attending the
foes in the woods, which are frequent in thofe parts, partly
to attend vifitors and travellers, and to prevent diforders*
In this duty all took their turn.
Among thofe baptized in 1750, was one Tadeuskund,
called Honeft John by ihe Englifh. His baptifm was delayed
fome time, becaufe of his wavering difpofition. But hav-
ing once been prefent at a baptifm, he faid to one of the
Brethren : " I am dillrell, that the time is not yet come,
" that I fhall be baptized and cleanfed in the blood of
« Chrift,"
Ch. IX. farhus Accounts. t2$
" Chrift." Being afked hov/ he felt during the baptifm,
Le replied : *^ I cannot deicribe it, but I wept and trem-
*' bled." He then fpoke with the miffionaries in an unre-
ferved manner, faying that he had been a very bad man
all his life, that he had no power to refift' evil ; that he
had never before been fo defirous to be delivered from fm,
and to be made partaker of our Lord's grace ; and added,
*' O that I were baptized and cleanfed in his blood." He
received this favor foon after, and was named Gideon.
The miiTionaries hefitated alfo about baptizing another
Indian, living in Meniolagomekah, called Big Jacob. He
had been many years an enemy to the Gofpel and its mi-
niflers, endeavoring with all his might and cunning to re-
tard the progrefs of the truth. But, during a fevere illnefs,
the Spirit of God operated upon his heart, his wretched
(late was revealed to him, and being in great diftrefs of
mind, he afked advice of the Brethren. Cammerhof and othei^
vifited him diligently, pointed out Jefus unto him as the Sa-
vior of the afHitled, a;nd were convinced, that he defired to
be converted with ail his heart. He owned his fiaful life;
his countenance, formerly favage and fierce, was changed
into that of a true penitent, and he conftantly repeated his
defire after baptifm. He faid to Brother Cammerhof : " I
" earneflly defire to be cleanfed by the blood of our Savior,
" and pray him to have mercy upon mc, and to enable
" me to love him above all things." Being aflced whether
he believed that none could fave him but the true God,
who had become a man, died on the crofs, and flied his
blood as an atonement for fm, he replied : " I believe that
*^ nothing can fave and cleanfe me from fin, but the blood
** of Chrifl alone, this I chiefly defire to experience^'' Bro-
ther Cammerhof aflced further, whether he was willing to
devote himfelf to our Savior, as his entire and eternal pro-
perty, upon v/hich he anfvi^ered : " O yes, if he receives mc,
" he will alfo give me flrength and grace to live to him alone,
*' that I may no longer ferve fin and Satan." He was then bap-
tized, and named Paul' God feulcd this tranfiiftion, by a
remarkable
125 B'Jhop Canmerhofs Deceafe. P. If,
remarkable perception of his divine prefence; and Paul re-
mained faithful to the end.
Such inflances of the power of the Gofpel had the moft
blefled effects upon all, and the Indian afhilants improved
them for the inftruilion and encouragement of their Bre-
thren. Auguftus's brother complained, that he was not good
enough to be baptized ; Auguftus anfwered : " Dear bro-
*' ther, I alfo thought to become good, before I could ven-
" ture to approach unto the Lord ; but he permits us to
" come unto him poor and needy as we are, that we may
" be cleanfed with his blood. Then he dwells in our hearts,
** and by his Spirit, leads and teaches us, \vhat to do, and what
" to leave undone."
In 1757, the congregations and miflions in North Ame-
rica fuffcred a great lofs, by the deceafe of Bifhop John Fre-
derick Cammerhof, whq had ferved them with great faith-
fulnefs and fuccefs ; he was never intimidated even by the
moft imminent danger, but at the rilk of health and life,
defied all perils, to gain fouls for his Lord and Mafter Jefus
Chrift. He confidered Gnadenhuetten as a jewel of inefti-
mable value. When he refided in Bethlehem, he regularly
went to that place once a month. The Indian congregation
refpe£ted and loved him fmcerely. There was fo much fweet-
nefs and benevolence in his chara£ler, that even the wildeft
favages held him in great efteem. This was proved by
many remarkable inflances. A favage Indian on the Suf"
quehannah having been feverely reproved by him for his
wicked life, and exhorted to feek remillion of fins, through
faith in Jefus, was fo much exafperated, that he followed
him into the wood, with a determination either cruelly to
beat, or to kill him ; when overtaking him, he found him
fo mild and friendly in his behaviour, that, immediately re-
penting of his v/icked defign, he gave ear to Cammerhof's
admonitions, and returned home with a very different difpo-
fiticn from that he fet out with. Some time after, he began
to confider his wretched ftate, turned to Him who had
power to deliver him from fin, and was baptized by the
very
Ch. IX. Bijhop Camnierhofs Deceafe, i2|
very man he had purpofed to deilroy. Bifhop Cammerho*
had baptized eighty-nine Indians during the four years he
redded in North America. The laft baptifmal tranfaclion
he performed in January at Gnadenhuettcn. On the 28thi
of April it pieafed the Lord to call this faithful fervant into
his eternal joy. The Indians were deeply affected by his
death, mourned over his lofs, as over that of the befl of pa-
rents, and even in the year 1782, their journal mentioned, that
he was held in grateful remembrance among them.
The miffionaries feverely felt this ftroke, and their only con-
folation was, that the Lord never forfakes his people. They
renewed their covenant together, to remain faithful to the
end, and were ftrengthened in ipirit by the profperity of
the Indian congregation. One of them exprefTes himfelf
thus in a letter written at that time : " Whoever has not
" feen a congregation like this, can never conceive a true
*' idea of it from defcription, nor judge of the joy wefeel inbe-
" holding a people of God, gathered from among the hea-
" then : how attentive are they to the word of the fufFer-
*' ings and death of Jefus ; how upright and unreferved;
** how contrite if laey have doneamifs; how cordial and
*' fmcere in their love to each other; how compaflionate to-
"wards the diflreffed or deluded; how afFecled by holy
*' baptifm ; how ftrengthened and comforted by the enjoy-
*' ment of the Lord's Supper ! When this defcription is
** compared to their former ftate, words are inadequate to
" extol the power of the crofs of Jefus Chrifl fo glorioufiy
" manifefled. We are thereby excited to love them moft
"cordially, and are willing, for their fakes, to endure all
** hardlhips." The fincere declarations of the believers af--
forded infinite pleafure to the miffionaries. Solomon faid,-
" I fometimes walk out alone, and (bed tears of joy in con-
" fidering the Lord's goodnefs towards me." Jofhua de-
clared, that lately he could not Deep the whole night for glad-
nefs, meditating upon the Lord Jefus, and what he has done
for us; that he was ready to burll into tears of joy when-
ever he refleiled upon the grace conferred upon him. He
added ; " I have devoted myfelf anew unto my Savior,
"and
128 Account of Gnadenhiietten. P. II,
•* and wiir live unto him alone ; I can no where elfe be hap-
" py." Jofliua had a particular converfation with another
Indian called Job, who pretended to great wifdom, hav-
ing read much In the Bible and got many texts by heart.
Job afferted, that we were very defe£live mortals, and not
able to live conformably to the precepts of Jefus Chrlll,
adding, *■'" That as even thofe, who walked with our Lord
** and Savior on earth, A)uld not a£l according to his will,
•* how much lefs could we think of doing it now." " Ah,"
replied Jofhua, '* it I« not fufficient to plead, that we are de-
*' fedlive mortals, though to feel our poverty of fpirit and help-
" leflhefsis effential ; for this will induce us to feek the Lord,
" who Vv^U not fufFer us to call in vain, but even before
" we feek him, is favorably difpofed towards us; if we only
" come to him with all our mifery, he is ready to help us
" immediately. Suppcfe you had travelled a great way, and
" coming into a town, told the people that you were hun-
" gry. If you then hear, that in fuch an houfe lives a
** man who gives food to every one, who comes to him,
** would you hefitate a moment to go and get a meal?
*' I mean, if you are really familhing, and know that you
" muft either eat or die ? Thus, my friend, it is with our
*' being poor and defedlive mortals. It Is not the fpeaking,
" but the feeling of it, that drives us to our Savior, and he
*' then gives us grace and power to a61: conformably to his
"^ precepts. But without him we can do nothing, and
" you will always remain a poor helplefs fmner, till you
" come unto him. It is true, thofe who followed our
*• Lord upon earth found It difficult to obey his precepts ;
" the caufe might be- this, they faw him with their eyes,
" but they bad not experienced the power of his blood ; for
" the Bible fays, that after our Savior's refurredion, It was
" eafier to believe in him, than before. Have you not
" read of many hundi-ed Brethren and Sifters, who, after
*' that event, were one heart and one foul ? We may ex-
" perience the fame, it is not difficult to believe in him,
'-* and do his will." Other Indian Brethren who were pre-
fent
Ch. IX. Account cf Gnadenhuetten. 1 29
fent at this converfatlon, confirmed Jofhua's words with
energy, from their own experience.
The edifying declarations of the communicants concern-
ing the bleffings they enjoyed at the celebration of the
Lord's Supper, gave great confolation to the mifhonaries,
and raifed an eager defire in thofe, who were not yet ad-
mitted, to attain to this great privilege, though they con-
feiTed themfelves unworthy.
Among the number of Indian vifitors in 1751, was a Sha-
wanofe and family, who had travelled above three hundred
miles, to become acquainted with the Brethren and their
dodlrine, of which he had heard various reports. He flay-
ed a_month at Gnadenhuetten, with his relations, and they all
reaped a bleffing from their vific.
Another vifitor, who had formerly heard the Gofpel In
Gnadenhuetten, but then refilled convi£lions, related, that
foon after his return, his child was taken dangeroully III.
Fearing that the poor infant would not obtain eternal life,
not being baptized, he ran into the woods, and cried to
God, in the anguifh of his foul, that he would in mercy
reftore its health -, promifing, that he would then devote to
his fervice both his child and himfelf. After giving vent
to his tears, his heart was comforted, and on his return
he found the child better; he therefore came now to
Gnadenhuetten, to requeft the Brethren, to take him and his
family under their protedion. Tears flowed while he fpoke ;
he obtained permiffion to live in the place, and was baptized
with his whole family.
Pachgatgoch being near two hundred miles from Beth-
lehem, the miffionarles, to whom that poll and Potatik were
committed. Hood in need of fome occafional relaxation.
Brother Senfeman therefore went in February 1751 to
Pachgatgoch, and took the care of the congregation and
fchools till July, when Brother Bueninger, after having reli-
ed during this time In Bethlehem, refumed his fuccefsful
labors. In his leifure hours he worked in the plantation,
and gave a good example, by encouraging the Indians to in-
Part II. K duftry.
130 Account of Gnaienhuetten. P. II<
duftry, that they might not fufFer famine in winter, which
too often happens through neglect. By this the Indians be-
came fo attached to his gentle diredlions, that even when they
were employed in the harveft by the white people, they
begged him to attend them, that he might warn them
againft danger \ for,' faid they, " We are like fick people
" jufl recovering, and continually fearing a relapfe."
In this year the above-mentioned Chief of Weftenhuck,
who had been long acquainted with the Brethren and vifited
Bethlehem, departed this life. He fpoke of our Savior to his
laft breath, and his friends teftified, that they had never known
any one depart this life with more ferenity and happinefs.
The ftate of the congregation in Meniolagomekah be-
came very precarious- the v/hite people endeavoring to drive
away the Indians, infilling that they were the lawful pro-
prietors of the land. Auguftus, in the name of the bap-
tized, who wifhed to withdraw from the confequences of
fuch a difpute, declared, that they would not refufe to quit
their land, though they had long pollefled and planted it.
All applications made by the Brethren to purchafe it v/ere
ineffeclual, and it came into the poffefFion of a man, who was
no friend to our Indians. Thus the latter forefaw, that they
v/ould foon be compelled to quit the country.
The Brethren Nathaniel Seidel and David Zeifberger hav-
In'- returned from Europe in October, went to Gnaden-
hueccen, and brought a iludent, John Jacob Schmick, to fervc
the Indians. Hi: was appointed fchool-mafler, and proved
a fuccefsful mlffionary among them.
Soon after, the Brethren Zeifberger and Gottlieb Bezold
went on a viht to the Sufquehannah, Neikopeko, S'homo-
kin, Wajomick, and other places, vifited the Nantikoks
aiid Shawanofe, comforted the difperfed Indian Brethren,
who, from their external connexions, were obliged to refide
among the favage§, and omitted no opportunity of preaching
the Gofpel. Biftiop Spangenberg alfo returned from Europe
in December, to the great joy of the congregations at Beth-
lehem and Gnadenhuetten, and alTured them of the love
and fervent prayers of all their Brethren in Europe.
[ 131 3
I
CHAPTER X.
1752, 1753-
Spangenberg* s Labors i?t Gnadenhuetten, The Nan-
iikoks and Shawanofe fetid an Embajfy. Their
Tranfadions. Notice given to Government. Zeif-
berger's 'Journey to Onondago. Accounis of Gna-
denbuetten, Pachgatgoch^ and Meniolagomekah. Se-
cond Embaffy from the Shawanofe and Nantihks,
Doubtful Confequences of it, Zeijberger's fecond
"Journey to Onondago, Various Accounts.
THE return of Bifhop Spangenberg to North America
was of great fervice to the Indian congregation.
He knew it from its infancy, was efteemed as a father, and
knew how to guide its members, with that patience, wif-
dom, and gentle reftraint, beft adapted to their chara(£ler and
circumftances. On this account his advice was a great fup-
port to the miffionaries in attending to their various duties.
His firfl bufinefs was, to encourage them, by folemnly re-
newing his covenant with them to perfevere in the fervice of
the Lord, though attended with the greatefh difficulties. He
then fpoke with every individual belonging to the Indian con-
gregation, and found caufe to praife God for the happy
fituation of mind, in which he found moft of them. He
likewife fpoke with each of them concerning that good or-
der and difcipline, eflentially requifite for the prefervation
of the congregation. This v>^as M'^ell received, and the coun-
cil came to the following refolutions :
That the parents Ihould take more care of their children ;
that the fchools fhould be regularly attended and never miffed,
but upon the moft urgent neceffity ; that the Indian afiiftants
fhould pay more attention to the young people, vifit the fa-
K 2 milies
132 Regulations for the Indian Congregation. P. 11.
milles in their dwellings, taking notice, whether the children
were at home with their parents, or at fchoolj whether
ftrangers were in the town ; whether people had aflembled,
whofe converfation or behaviour might prove hurtful ; whe-
ther any were ailing or diftrefled ; and communicate their re-
marks to the miflionaries in proper time.
That no begging fhould be fufFered, but every one en-
deavor to earn his bread by diligently attending to his bu-
finefs.
That in their dealings with the white people, they fliould
guard againfl running into debt, and in general regulate their
affairs, fo as to make provifion for winter and fpring: that
all the infirm and aged fhould carefully be attended to j and
their wants relieved. That notice fliould be given, when any
intended to be abfent from his ufual employ.
That no fliooting fliould be permitted on Sundays or fefti-
val days, neither in the town nor its neighborhood, and that
the greatefi caution fliould be ufed in proving their guns near
the houfes.
That no occafion fliould be given for diflurbance either by
the inhabitants, or by ftrangers ; and that, in cafe any fhould
happen, the latter be fent away and the former reproved j
and if unwilling to return to order, defired to quit the fet-
tlement.
That every houfekeeper in Gnadenhuetten fliould fign an
agreement, promifing to demean himfelf conformably to
thefe flatutes, and in cafe he fhould alter his mind, to fell his
plantations to the fettlement, and leave the place.
It muft undoubtedly be afcribed to the grace of God alone,
that the Indians, vi'ho naturally defpife all reflraint, not; only
joyfully agreed to thefe orders and regulations, but lived in
ftri£t compliance with them.
The vifits of flrange Indians were an obje£t of continual
attention, a work of God being obferved in the hearts of
feveral. Yet as lodging them in the families became not
only troublefome, but the conduft of many, gave offence
to the young people, the council refolved to build an houfc
purpofely
Ch. X. EmhaJJy of the Najitihhs and Shawamfe. 133
purpofely for the reception of ftrangers. Another was built
and appropriated to the ufe of the baptized Indian vifitors
from Bethlehem, Meniolagomekah, Pachgatgoch, and other
places. The former was called the Strangers' Inn. Towards
building the latter, the Brethren in Bethlehem contributed
money, and the Indians afforded their work. Each houfe was
fuperintended by an houfekeeper, who paid every attention
to the comfort and convenience of his guefts.
A prefent of a fpinet having been made for the ufe of the
chapel at Gnadenhuetten, the finging of the congregation
was improved, r.nd Brother Schmick played upon it, to the
fatisfadlion and edification of all. He alfo taught a young
Indian to play, who fucceeded him.
Some Indian affiftants having vifited their countrymen on
the Sufquehannah, and preached the Gofpel to them, the
head-chief of the Nantikok nation fent two deputies to
the Brethren with a fathom of wampom to folicit further
acquaintance. In June, Bifhop Spangenberg, Zeifberger,
and Seidel, went to Shomokin and Wajomick. In return
for this vifit, a large embafly was fent by the Nantikoks and
Shawanofe to Gnadenhuetten, to eftablifh a covenant with
tlie Brethren. The deputies, with their attendants of women
and children, were in all one hundred and feven perfons.
Their tranfa£lions were performed with due Indian folemnity.
July 14th two deputies arrived from Wajomick to announce
the arrival of the embafly on the following day. Every
one was aflive in procuring accommodations and provifions
for f-ich a large party, and on the 15th a mefl!enger arrived,
being fent ten miles forward, with two firings of wampom.
He addrefl^ed the Brethren thus: " We are now coming to
" you. Gnadenhuetten is a place which delights us. We
" firft thought to go to Bethlehem, but being fatigued and
" having nothing to eat, we reft with you at prefent. The
" heat was great, and we fubfifted on nothing but bilberries.**
The Indian Brethren having fent them four large loaves, they
appeared fome time after, flowly moving towards the place
in Indian file j the leader finging a fong, till he came to the
1^ 3 firl^
134 EmbaJJy of the Nantihks and Shawanofe. P. 11.
firft houfe, where they halted. Abraham went to meet
them, and giving his hand to the leader, conducted them to
the inn. After dinner, at their own requefb the Indian aflift-
ants preached Jefus to them, as crucified to redeem us from
fm.
Having received an account of this extraordinary vifit,
Bifhop Spang^nberg and fome other Brethren arrived from
Bethlehem on.the i6Lh, and the miflionaries and afTiftants
being aflembled, he converfed with Ae Indian Chiefs, bid
them welcome, and invited them and their people to fupper.
They intimated, that perhaps their young people might have
leave to dance, but were told, tjiat the believers found no
pleafure in fuch things, becaufe their God and Savior was
their only joy; to which Bifliop Spangenberg added, " Bro-
** thers ! you are the fathers of your people, therefore fay
" to them, " Do not dance here, for the Brethren difapprove
" of it." This addrefs being well i-eceived, their behaviour
was very orderly. After fupper, a verfe of thanks was fung
in the Indian language. July 17th, the" Indian Chiefs were
informed, that their words fliould be heard in the after-
noon. For this purpofe, and that all the people might be
prefent, the whole aflembly met upon a rifing ground. A
large blue cloth being fpread in the middle, and mats pro-
perly placed, on one fide for the Chiefs, and on the other
fpr the Brethren, the Nantikoks and Shawanofe gathered
-around their Chiefs, and the inhabitants of Gnadenhuetea
around the miffionaries; the women and children forming a
circle around the whole aflembly, at fome diftance, yet fo
that they could underfliand the words of the fpeakers, who
always I'ofe up to deliver their fpeeches. On each fide a fire
was kindled, and a fmall bafket, filled with tobacco, placed
in the centre.
The fpeaker of the embafly, an old Chief called Joinnopi-
om, delivered his meffage with great gravity and many fig-
nificant geflures in five different fpeeches. During each he
held fome ftrings and belts of wampom in his hands, and
at the clofe of each fentence was applauded by one or another
party.
Ch. X. Emhaffy of the Nantihoks and Bhanvamfe. 135
party. Whenever he made a period, another Chief, named
White, took up the firing or bek, and repeated it in Englifh.
Then Nathanael, an afliftant, took the fame firing or belt,
and repeated the period in the Mahikan language, and he was
followed by Bifhop Spangenberg, who did the fame in Ger-
man.
The firfl fpeech contained the ufual preface, that the two
nations, the Nantikoks and the Shawanofe, being one in
mind, would clear the ears and eyes of their Brethren the
Mahikans at Gnadenhuetten, and of the white Brethren at
Bethlehem. He then obferved, that it gave pleafure to the
Chiefs, that the Brethren would fpeak to their people of Him
who dwells above; that their women and children were
alfo pleafed with it. " That even the children in the womb,
*• after their birth, would thank the Chiefs, that they had
<,' done this for their good." This latter fentence concluded
each fpeech,
In the fecond, he regretted that the Mahikans, by living
^t fo great a diflance, had become flrangers to them, but
now feeing their faces, they acknowledged the. Mahikans to
be their elder brother.
During the third, he held a belt confifting of fix rows of
wampom, curioufly interwoven, which he explained to be
the chain of brotherhood, to remain unbroken, as long as
God fliould fuffer the world to ftand.
He began the fourth by faying, " 'Tis a great pity that we
" do not underfland each other." Bifhop Spangenberg re-
plied, '^ But yet it is well, that we may all underfland each
*' other, for by tranflating your words into fo many lan-
" g^'ig^s, we remember them all, and not one falls to the
*' ground.'- The fpeaker then proceeded to requefl, that
both parties might confider thcmfelves as brethren, and
alTifl each other in all circumflances of life, to the utmoft
of their power. This was greatly applauded.
The fpeaker having feated himfclf, produced a triple ftring
of wampom, and rifmg, laid hold of one firing and uttered
t=hefe Y'PTtls : " 1 have now faid all I had to fay, and this
K 4 *« concludes
1^6 Embajy of the Nantihh and Shawanofe. P. IL
** concludes my fpeech." Then taking the other two firings
he added : " My brother Mahikan and my brother from
** Bethlehem, you have feated yourfelves together and are
*' become one. Three months hence we intend to vifit
*' Bethlehem, but we will fend a meffenger five days before
•' our arrival, and announce it to you, in the name of the
•* Chiefs. We have fent word to the Six Nations, that laft
" fpring you gave us to underftand, that you would tell us
*' the * great words' of God, our Creator- and that we have
•' made a chain of friendfhip with you and fliould vifit you.
" They were well fatloficd and pleafed M^th it." An uni-
verfal Ihout of applaufe confirmed thefe words. Chief
White added, " that their wives and children intended to
*f return from Gnadenhuetten to Wajomick, but that he and
** fome other Chiefs fhould now proceed to Bethlehem."
About five in the evening the aflembly broke up, and the
Nantikoks and Shawanofe having had their meal, Bifhop
Spangenberg preached to them in the Englifh language, re-
peating in a concife but powerful manner, the hiltory of
our Lord's life, fufferings, and refurretSlion, to which they
■were very attentive. One of the Chiefs defired his people to
ftay, while he in his own language and manner tranflated to
them what Blihop Spangenberg had faid.
On the following day provifions were prepared by the Jn-
liabitants of Gnadenhuetten, that they and their guefts
might all dine together at the clofe of the conference. A
general colle£lion of wampom was made, and the firings
and belts neceflary for the anfwers, prepared by the Indian
Siftiers Meanwhile the Brethren from Bethlehem and the
Indian aflifi:ants agreed upon an anfwer to be given to the
Nantikoks and Shawanofe; the fecond conference began
IP the afternoon, and all being placed as on the foregoing
day, Bifi:iop Spangenberg rofe and faid :
" Brothers, Chiefs of the Nantikoks and Shawanofe, be-
** ing united ; you have travelled far with your people ; you
" have fuffered much by the way from heat and famine ;
** your feet are weary and dufl;y j when you came to us, by
« this
Ch. X. Emhaffy of the Nantikds and Shanvanofe. 137
** this ftrlng of wampom (holding it up) you wiped cur
*' eyes, cleaned our ears, and cleared our inward parts,
** that all evil might depart and give room to goodvi^ill.
" And vi'ith this fame ftring you told us, that the words we ,
** have fpoken to you in the fpring, were fatisfaftory, and that
** your women and children, even thofe yet in the mother's
" womb, would rejoice to hear the Gofpel of jefus Chrift.
" You alfo declared by this firing, that you and the Shawa-
*' nofe were one, as we white Brethren of Bethlehem and our
*' Indian Brethren are one. Brother, take this ftring (hold-
'* ing up a double one), we thank you for coming dry your
*' fweat, wipe the dull off your feet, refrefh yourfelves,
** fatisfy your hunger; cool yourieives and be chearful ; and
" may God blefs the word, which we fhall preach to you
" and your children." Upon this, Chief White took the
ftring from Bifliop Spangenberg, and repeated his fpeech
in the Nantikok language, the Indians applauding each
fentence. Bifliop Spangenberg again rofe with ihe firft belt
of wampom given by the Nantikoks and Shawanofe, and
repeated the whole fpeech, delivered the preceding day,
the Nantikoks and Shawanofe confirming each fentence
with loud applaufe ; then hanging the belt upon his arm,
he took up another and faid, " Brothers, ye Chiefs of the
*' Nantikoks and Shawanofe, being one : we rejoice greatly,
" that we have found our brothers. It fliall ever remain as
** you have faid ; we will be one, it is as you have declared,
** the Brethren of Bethlehem and thofe of Gnadenhuetten arc
" one. This fliall laft as long as the world." Chief
White having repeated all this in the Nantikok language, Bi-
fliop Spangenberg rofe vi'lth a fecond belt given by the In-
dians, repeating their words, and holding up the belt, faid
in anfwer, " Brothers, ye Chiefs of the Nantikoks and
" Shawanofe, being one ; we, the United Brethren of Beth-
" lehem and Gnadenhuetten, will hold this chain unbroken,
*' no link fliall be torn off, nor fliall ruft corrode it •, and may
" God, the giver of all good, grant us grace to preferve it;
" it fliall continue firm between us and our children." This
fpeech being repeated, he rofe as before, and faid, *' Brothers,
" what
||S Embajy of the Nantikoh and Bhatuanoje, P. II,
** what you have told us, is perfe£^ly agreeable to us ; wc
^* delight to ferve our fellow-men ; even if our enemies
** fhould call upon us, we would gladly relieve them j there-?
^* fore if Our dear brothers the Nantikoks and Shawanofe
" want our help, we fhail always be willing to ferve you:
" our children think fo too." White having finiflied the
repetition of this fpeech, Bifhop Spangenberg faid, " Bro-
*' thers, we thank you that ye have fpoken fo much with us ;
" we have received all your words, and not one has fallen to
♦^ the ground. It is well, that you intend to vifit us atBeth-
*f lehem. "When brothers vifit each other often, all fufpici-
** ons are done away, and mutual love is promoted. We arc
** glad to hear, that you have given notice to the Six Nations
*' of what we told you in fpring, namely, that we wlfh to
^* make you acquainted with your God and Creator. It is.
** v/eil, that this be done daily. The Six Nations have been
** united with us thefe ten years ; we have alfo vifited them
^' at Onondago, and two, here prefent, have been there.'*
Hereupon he delivered to them a tanned deerfkin, faying,
that they (hould mend their children's flioes, if torn by the
way; adding, that fixty bufliels of flour and eighty pounds
of tobacco were ready for them, as a prefent; all which
was received with exprellions of great joy. The victuals being
placed before them, the Chiefs appointed fome fervants to
diftribute them to the people, and every thing was conduced
with fobriety and in good order. After dinner, the aged
fpeaker rofe, and faid : " We are very well fatisfied and
*' thankful, and fliall reft well." Before they departed he
delivered a long fpeech to his people, to this efFe<5l : " that
" they fhOuld look upon the Brethren at Bethlehem and Gna-
*' denhuetten as their brothers^ and do them every fervice in
**• their power." The Chief of the Shawanofe having done
the fame to his people, they all retired to their refpective
lodgings.
July 1 9th, Bifhop Spangenberg and his company returned
, to Bethlehem, and many of the Nantikoks and Shawanofe re-
folved to accompany their Chiefs thither. On the 20th fome
deputies
Ch. X. Emhajpj of the Nantikoh ana Shaivanofe. 139
deputies from Bethlehem met them with refrefhments, upon
which they fent a meflenger forward, with a firing of wam^
pom and the following words : " Brother, I come to vifit
" you ; I have no bufinefs to tranfaft, but fliall be glad to fee
" you in your own houfe." They foon appeared drawn up
in Indian hie. The men held their pieces with the muzzle
downwards, and an old Chief, carrying the pipe of peace,
fang thefe w-ords : " I rejoice, that I may vifit my brethren."
Upon entering Bethlehem, Bifliop Spangenberg gave them
his hand ; then turning about, walked before the whole com-
pany into Bethlehem, where they were received by the in-
habitants, with found of trumpets, and lodged in huts,
erefted for them. They (laid here feveral days, and made a
folemn covenant with the Brethren, attended with the fame
ceremonies and fpeeches as in Gnadenhuetten. The Bre-
thren here directed their chief attention to the converfion of
thefe heathen, and to make them acquainted with their Cre^
ator and Redeemer.
Bifhop Spangenberg preached again to them, and they
were prefent at two baptifms, during which they appeared
much afFe£led. The regular and chearful courfe of the con-
gregation at Bethlehem feemed to leave a deep impreflion
upon their minds. One of the oldefh Chiefs declared his
thoughts concerning himfelf and his people as follows :
*' Brethren, we are altogether buried in finj have patience
*' with us, in the courfe of a year or two a change may
" take place. We are like colts in training. Your words
" pleafe us much. We feel fomething in our hearts, and
*' though we do not comprehend it all, we fliall underftand
" it by degrees, but our motions are flow."
Having informed them of the covenant made between the •
Brethren and the Iroquois, renewed lail year by Brother Cam-
merhof, and fhown them the firings and belts of wamponi
ratifying the fame, they were defired to confidcr of the bed
means of cultivating an acquaintance, and of preaching
the Gofpel to them, to which they promifed to return
ap anfwer in three months. Then the Brethren, Siilers,
and
t40 EmbaJJy of the Nantihh and Shatoanofe^ P. II.
and children gave them fome ufeful prefents, and all was con*
eluded by a fpeech from the oldeft fpeaker, expreffing their
gratitude, and confirmed by fhoiits of applaufe. On the
25th of July they returned home.
Notice was immediately fent to the government in Phila-
delphia of this embafly. This was the more needful, as the
enemies of the Brethren had even inferted calumniating
reports into the public papers, concerning the late Bi-
(hop Cammerhof's journey to Onondago, made in 1750,
with a view to alarm government. The principal accufations
were, that Brother Cammerhof intended to perfuade the
Indians to join the French againfh the Englifhj that he ad-
vifed them not to fell any more land to the Engiifh, and that
he had endeavored to prejudice their minds againft Mr. Con-
rad Weiffer, interpreter to government. Though his Excel-
lency, James Hamilton, governor of Pennfylvania, was con-
vinced of the falfity of thefe and other accufations by conr
ferring with Bifhop Cammerhof himfelf, yet thefe public ca-
lumniators could not be filenced ; and therefore when Biftiop
Spangenberg waited upon the governor in the fummer of this
year, he gave his Excellency a full and fatisfadlory explanation,
with a view to prevent any fufpicion, fhowing in the moft
unequivocal manner, that the Brethren were, from every
public and private motive, attached to government from
fincere afre£tion. This declaration had the defired efFeft.
Two deputies were likewife fent to the great council of
the Mahikan nation at Weftenhuck, to acquaint them v/ith
the embafly of the Nantikoks and Shawanofe, with which
they appeared much pleafed ; and as a proof of their fatisfacr
tion, made Abraham, an afliftant at Gnadenhuetten, a cap-
tain. The Brethren were forry for this ftep, fearing that it
might tend to the prejudice of this valuable man, and the
event proved their fears to be juft.
In July 1 75 1, the Brethren Zeifberger and Gottfried
Rundt, accompanied by Martin Mack, fet out for Onondago,
agreeably to the article of treaty, by which the great council
permitted two Brethren to refide there and learn the lan-
guage.
I Shortly
ell. X. Zei/herger's Vlfitin Ofiondagt}. I4I
Shortly before they reached that town they were met by
twenty Chiefs of the Oneida tribe, belonging to the Six Na-
tions, who with great vehemence oppofed their proceeding
on their journey, pretending to be entirely Ignorant of the
covenant made between the Brethren and the Iroquois at
Onondago, and frequently repeating thefe words, " You arc
" wicked men, we have been warned agalnft you by the white
" people, and therefore forbid you to proceed at your peril ;
*' what bufinefs have you to learn the language ? other people
*' are engaged to do that." The Brethren did not fufFer
themfelves to be fo eafily repulfed, and relying on the help
of the Lord, defired that a folemn council might be held
on the following day by the Chiefs, to confider their bufinefs.
This being granted, Brother Zeifberger addrefled them fo
powerfully that they changed their minds, and having con-
templated the ftvings of wampom, which the Brethren werc
carrying to the council in Onondago, and confidered their
meaning, they granted them full liberty to proceed, adding :
" We are convinced that your bufinefs Is not a bad one, and
" that your words are true." The Brethren arrived the fame
evening at Onondago, and were lodged in the houfe of one
of the Chiefs.
They foon made their arrival known to the great council,
giving an account of the death of Bifhop Cammerhof, and
renewing their covenant made with the Iroquois two years
ago, begging llkewlfe that, according to leave given, the
Brethren David Zeifberger and Gottfried Rundt might be
permitted to refide among them, and to learn their language.
The council returned an anfwer the fame day, that tliefe Bre-
thren fhould have liberty to dwell among them and to leani
their language ; they alfo exprefled their forrow at the death
of fo worthy a man as Cammerhof, " who loved the Indians
" fo much, and had proved himfelf among them as an up-
*' right man, without guile." Finally they renewed the mu-
tual covenant between them and the Brethren, and the,
fpeaker, to fliow his earneftnefs, fqueezing both his hands very
£>fl: together, faid ; " Thus all the Chiefs are difpofcd :" the reil
pro-
ir42 *^e'ifhergh's Vlftt in Ononiagb, P. IL
pronounced a loud tone of affirmation. Thus no oppofition
was made, but rather a difput^ arofe among the Chiefs, which
nation fhould receive the two Brethren firft. Brother Mack
having returned to Bethleheiri, the Brethren began a re-
gular houfe-keeping, and experienced fo much attention,
refpeft, and afhitance from all quarters, that they often ex-
claimed with amazement : " This is the Lord's doing." They
lived in the Chief's houfe, and by particular appointment
of the glreat council, all councils were held in it, that the
Brethren rnight become well acquainted with their manner
of treating fubje£1:s. They were alfo permitted to enter
every houfe in the town, that they might have fufficient op-
portunity of converfing with the people, and learning their
language.
Thus they lived in harmony and peace, availing them-
felves of their unreferved intercourfe with the Indians, to
preach to them the words of life. They earned their bread
byfurgical operations, chiefly by bleeding, and by the labor
of their hands. When the Indians got drunk and trouble-
fome, they retired into the woods, till the frolic was over.
From Onondago they made a journey into the country of
the Tufcaroras and Cajugas. In the latter, they found great
oppofition from the white people, and were fo much abufed
by a rum-trader, that the Indians were obhged to interfere
and deliver them from his hands by force. Upon their re-
turn to Onondago, they found the men in readlnefs to fet
out on their winter hunt, and thus as none but the women
would be at home, they refolved to return to Bethlehem for
fome time, and arrived there in December.
In Meniohgomekah, the miiBonary Grube and his wife
inhabited a miferable cottage. Among other inconveniences,
they had to fufrer their fhare of a general famine in thofe
parts, but were comforted under all outward affiidlion, by
perceiving, that the Gofpei entered with power into the
keartsof the heathen.
The eourfe of the congregation in Pachgatgoch became
inore pleailngj Bifnop Spangenberg preached the Gofpei in
the
Ch. X. Second Emhajfy of the i^antikoh and Bhaivanofe. 14^
the power of the Spirit of God, one of the affiftants from
Gnadenhuetten being interpreter. By degrees, the number
of conftant hearers increafed fo much, that a refolution was
taken to ere£t a large chapel and fchool-houfe. All the in-
habitants took their fhare in this work, with great willingnefs,
and the miflionaries were excited to pvaife God for the
grace bellowed on thefe people, naturally given to floth, but
HOW ready to perform the hardeil labor, for the caufe of
the Gofpel. When, the houfe was finifhed and folemnly
dedicated to the fervice of the Lord, the miflionaries ren-
dered thanks unto him, that during the whole work, there
had not been the leaft appearance of diiTatisfaclion. The
declarations of the Indians plainly proved the effedls of the
grace of God. Converfing one day familiarly together, they
were heard to fay : '' We ufed formerly to meet for the pur-
" pofe of drinking, dancing, fighting, and other revellings,
*' but now we aflemble to rejoice, that our Savior has de-
" livered us from thefe things, and to thank him, that he has
" drawn us unto himfelf." Jofhua, Samuel, and Martin, who
were employed as interpreters in the meetings, agreed to-
gether, that when one, whofe turn it was, found himfelf ra-
ther lukewarm in heart, he fliould mention it, that another
might interpret in his ftead. In general, the declarations made
by the Indian Brethren and Siflers, and even by the children
at Gnadenhuetten, gave great joy and comfort to the mif-
Conaries.
Agreeably to the promlfe made laft year, another embafly
of Nantikoks and Shawanofe arrived at Bethlehem, by way
of Gnadenhuetten, in March 1753. It confiited of twenty-
two perfons. Among the retinue were three Iroquois In-
dians, with whom. Brother Zeifberger had lodged, and their
joy in feeing each other was mutual. Many baptized In-
dians came likewife from Meniolagomekah and Gnaden-
huetten, to be prefent at the tranfaftions of this embalTy.
One part of their commiflion was, to thank the Brethren,
in the name of the two nations, for their liberality towards
them during the famine laft autumn, declaring that they
mufl
144 Secotid Emha£y of th^ Nantikoh and Shaivafiofe. P. II*
muft all have periflied for want, had not the Brethren of
Bethlehem fent them timely relief. They obferved, that^
after many confultations, they could not find any method
©f becoming acquainted with the language of the Brethren ;
adding, that at the defire of the Iroquois, the Nantikoks
would retire further inland j but that they would not forfake the
firiendfliip of the Brethren, but vifit them often. They alfo
made a propofal in the name of the Iroquois, that the In-
dians in Gnadenhuetten fhould remove to Wajomick, yet
pot againfl their own inclination ; obferving however, that
in cafe of a removal, the land fhould not become their pro-
perty, but remain in the poiTeffion of the Iroquois. They
carneftly befought the Brethren not to fufpe£l any evil mo-
tives, but rather to believe the reverfe. The Brethren
in Bethlehem lliould hold them by one, and they, the Nan-
tikoks and Shawanofe, by the other hand, and thus keep them
fafe. During this laft part of the fpeech, the fpeaker
changed countenance, and began to tremble, well aware,
that this propofal would be acceptable neither to the Bre-
thren at Bethlehem, nor to the Indians at Gnadenhuetten.
However, both he and the other Chiefs were relieved from
their fears, when they heard the anfwer of the Brethren,
implying, " that they would not determine any thing po-
" fitively againfl it, but mufl infifl upon this point, that no
" means of conflraint fhould be ufed on either fide." Yet
fome miflrufted their honefty, though they concealed their
fufpicions for the prefent, not conceiving why the Iro-
quois fhould propofe the tranfplanting of the converted In-
dians from Gnadenhuetten, without alleging any plaufible
reafon, and that not immediately, but through the inter-
ference of the Nantikoks and Shawanofe. The event prov-
ed that they were not miftaken. The deputies of the con-
gregation agreed to the propofal, on condition that they
lliould have full liberty to take their teachers with them.
It was further refoived that no idle rumors fhould be cre-
dited by either party. If any thing material occurred,
inquiry fhould be made, and the real truth afcertained. The
fame
Ch. X. Second Embajfy of the Nantikohs and Shawanofe. 14^
fame ceremonies accompanied thefe confultations, as before
defcribed.
Many meetings were held, on account of the heathen
vifitors, chiefly in the Englifh language, and all united in
prayers, that God would caufe his word to bring forth abid-
ing fruit. It was evident in many, that they did not hear
the do6lrine of the fufFerings and death of Jefus, in vain.
Some were once looking at a painting of our Lord's
crucifixion : " Behold," fald one of them to another
near him, " how many wounds he had, and how they
" bleed ; I have alfo heard the Brethren fay, that he was for-
** rowful unto death, and prayed in an agony, in fuch a man-
" ner, that the fweat ran from him like drops of blood."
The other liftened with aftonifhment, and feemed loft in
thought. Having fpent a week agreeably in Bethlehem,
they returned to Wajomick, towards the end of March.
It appeared that thefe vifits did more harm than good
to the inhabitants of Gnadenhuetten. Not only the peo-
ple at large became fond of forming alliances with other na-
tions, but feveral Indian Brethren, who were not as yet
well ellablilhed and rooted in Jefus Chrift, began to think
again of their heathenilh cuftoms. Some forfook the con-
gregation, and brought themfelves into diftrefs of mind and
body, others loft their chearfulnefs and ferenit)^, became
gloomy and fhy, and much time elapfed, before they were
reftored. The miflionaries felt the moft pungent grief on
thefe occafions ; they were however comforted in fome mea-
fure, by obferving, that none of thofe who thus left the con-
gregation, were enemies to it, but valued the Gofpel, the
power of which they had felt, retaining a fmcere love for
the Brethren. The miflionaries remarked, that it was evi-
dent, that our Savior had truly conquered the hearts of the
baptized ; for though they ftrayed for a time, yet He bore
them with patience; many were reclaimed, and departed
this life as ranfomed finners. Thus they always found rea-
fon to moderate both their joy and grief over the courfe
of the Indian flock. The greater number remained faith-
Part II. L fuU
I46 Account of Gjiadothuetterty I'. Ih
ful, and by the grace of God overcame the temptations,
cleavhig to Jefus Chrift to the end.
The prefence of the Lord attended their daily worlhip,
particularly on feftival days, and the miffionaries were com-
forted and flrengthened by their voluntary declarations,
whenever they were vifited. Michael fpeaking of his dwell-
ing in Gnadenhuetton, faid to a miffionary : " I have Hved
** in Shekomeko, there our Savior followed me faithfully,
** and M'hen I removed hither, he preferved me. Here I
*' have heard words which are a cordial to my heart; I
" continue to hear, and am ftrengthened. I would fooner
*' die than be perfuaded to leave you." An Indian fifter
declared, " That both at home and abroad flic had been
"in an uninterrupted intercourfe with God her Savior;
*' that Lhereby her love towards him had been greatly ftrength-
" ened, and her joy in the Holy Gholt increafed •," and
" that fhe would therefore cleave to him for ^ver." One
of them faid : " My heart is poor and needy, but it belongs to
" our Savior, and all the good I poffefsj proceeds from him.
*' When I converfe with him, I am always happy at the
*' foot of the crofs. I am hungry and thirily, and long
" for that great day, on which we fhall celebrate the Lord's
*' Supper. I will remain the property of our Savior, truft-
*' ing that he will keep me."
The joy and confidence with which the Indians met their
diflblution, was the moft evident proof, that they had lived
by faith in the Son of God, and were animated with the
affurance of everlafting life. Thus the edifying departure
of Gottlieb, the firfl-fruit of the Delaware nation, gave
particular joy to the mifhonaries. Before he expired, he
laid to Brother Martin Mack : " I fiiali foon depart to
*' my Savior*, this makes me rejoice, becaufe I know that I
" fhall go to him as a poor but pardoned finner." He was fo
moved at uttering thefe words, that his tears prevented
him adding more, and foon after he fell aileep in Jefus.-
The unbaptized fhowedmore faith in Jefus Chrift, in their
dying moments, than was expected. A mother who wept
bitterly over her unbaptized fon, living on the Sufquehan-
4 nah.
Ch. X, Meniolagomekahy ^c. 147
nah, out of tlie reach of any mlffionary, and at that tune
fick unto death, was comforted by his own declarations.
Upon her going to fee him, he addreffed her to the fol-
lowing effeft : " Dear mother, I am very ill, and fnall pro-*
" bably die, but do not weep fo much; I fiiall not be loft;
" for I am afllired, that Jefus our Savior, the God whom
" the Brethren preach, and who was wounded for me
" alfo, will receive me :" and in this firm hope he died re-
joicing.
April the 22dj Brother Zeifberger returned to Onondago
with Brother Henry Frey. Both were treated with the
fame efteem, as before, and with the greateft hofpitality,
as long as the Indians themfelves had any thing to eat.
Hoviz-ever, the war between the Englifh and French gave the
Brethren much uneafmefs, and the great council intimated,
that they would do well to leave the place, if it fhould
extend farther towards Onondago, promising to give them
timely notice. They attempted to preach the Gofpel in the
adjacent parts, but were much weakened by various difeafes,
fuffering famine with the inhabitants. Brother Zeifberger
having hiade good progrefs in the language, and omitted
no opportunity to preach falvation to all men, returned to
Bethlehem with his alTiftant, after half a year's-refidence in
Onondago, by advice of the great council, and on account of
the troubles of war.
About this time, the fmall congregation of Indians, fet-
tled at Wechquatnach, were driven away by their neighbors ;
and fome retired to Wajomlck. Thirty-four of thefe people
having given fatisfaftory proofs of their fincerity, obtained
leave to remove to Gnadenhuetten.
The poffeflbr of Meniolagomekah did not proceed fo far,
as to expel the Indian inhabitants, and the caufe of the Gof-
pel flourifhed, in defiance of all oppofition. An Indian
afuftant came every Sunday to this place, to ferve as inter-
preter to Brother Bueninger, who was preacher and fchool-
mafter. An inftance of the fimplicity of one of the Bre-
thren whom he inftrufted In writing, gave him pleafure.
L 3 He
l^g Account of Gmdenhitetten, P. II.
He brought him a prayer written out of the fuhiefs of his
heart, as foUov/s : " My dear Savior ! my name is Natha-
*' niel 1 I will open my whole heart to thee, in writing, in
** thy prefence : I am very deficient in every thing. I find
** that I have r\r.t yet devoted my whole heart unto thee ;
" and yet thou haft died for me. Jefus Chrift ! I wifli I was
** fo, that thou couldft rejoice over me! dear Savior, 1
" would wiUingly live fo as to pleafe thee." An old man
of feventy-two, came and told him that he had lived long
with the white people in the Jerfeys, with whom he had
frequently converfed about religion. He had feen people of
all denominations, and wiflied to know, which religion was
the beft. Brother Bueninger anfwered, that he would not
take upon him to judge, but that in all men one thing is re-
quired, which is, to believe in, and love Jefus Chrift, the creator
of all things, who became a man, died for our fins and rofe again
for our juftification. Whoever in any denomination expe-
riences the truth of this, is faved, and poffeiTes eternal life.
The Brethren Martin Mack and Grube vifited Shomokin
and feveral places on the Sufquehannah, endeavoring to re-
claim the ftraying fheep, and to awaken the heathen from
the fleep of fin. With this view, Grube made a journey
into feveral neighboring places, and was gracioufly preferv-
ed amidft many furrounding dangers. In one place, feveral
ill-defigning Shawanofe and Delawares came to his Indian
hoft, and unknown to him, demanded his life, alledging,
*' That he was a wicked man and a feducer." His hoft an-
fwered : " You miftake your man, I have never feen any
" thing amifs in him; he is in my houfe, and I will defend
*' him there, nor fliall any man on earth dare to injure him."
The day after, he accompanied Brother Grube part of the
way to Shomokin, but did not tell him in what danger he
had been. Some time after he believed the Gofprl, tm-ned
with Ms whole heart unto the Lord, and then related this
circumftance.
Brother Chriftian Frcelich was meanwhile engaged in vi-
^ung the negroes in feveral parts of the Jerfeys, by whom
I he
Ch. X, Memolagomehah^ ^c. 149
he was well received. He preached the Gofpel to above a
hundred of them, and likewife vifited them in their plant-
ations. At New York he heard of a criminal who was
to be hanged the following day, whom he with another Bro-
ther vifited in prifon. Here he defcribed to him the great
love of Jefus to all repenting and returning prodigals, en-
couraging him to turn unto the Lord, by quoting the in-
ftance of the pardoned thief; and great indeed was his joy,
when he faw the poor criminal receive this word of com-
fort and pardon, Math a believing heart, and with oumber-
lefs tears of unfeigned repentance.
CHAPTER XI.
1754-
Beginning of Jevere Troubles. Mayiy Inhabitants of
Onadenhuetten leave that Place. Meniolagomekah
deferted. The Troubles ceafe for a time. The In-
dians remove from Gnadenhuetten. Brother Mar-
tin Mack's Vifit to Wajo?nick, Various Accounts.
THE courfe of the Indian congregation had hitherto
been, in general, pleafing and unmolefted, notwith-
ftanding its various defe6ls and vicilTitudes; but now troubles
began, both of the moft unpleafant kind, and grievous in their
confequences. They chiefly originated in the above-men-
tioned propofal to tranfplant the congregation from Gna-
denhuetten to Wajomick.
For the reafons j^bqve ftated, the Brethren in Bethlehem
long wilhed, that the converted Indians might withdraw
into that country, and mak? a fettlement. But it gradually
bepame evident, that the favages were fecretly determined
L ^ to
^5^ Troubles at Gnadenhuettau P. II.
to join the French, and commence hoftillties againft the
EngHlh. They firft wifhed to furnifli a fafe retreat for
their countrymen, the Indians of Gnadenhuetten, that they
might the more eafily fall upon the white people in thofe
parts. In this vi^w the Iroquois had called the Nantikoks
from Wajomick into their neighborhood, to make roon^
for the Chriftian Indians. They fuppofed this flep
would not be difagreeable to the Brethren at Bethlehem,
the believing Indians at Shekomeko having nine years
ago obtained leave from the great council at Onqndago,
by means of a treaty with Bifhop Spangenberg, to move
to Y/ajomick. Thus their plot appeared upon the whole
well contrived, and the preffing invitation fent to the
converted Indians to go to Wajomick, was part of the
fcheme.
In this point of view the Brethren ai; Bethlehem had no
reafon to rejoice at the offer, nor could the miflionaries
encourage the Indians to accept of it; yet they ventured
not to difluade them, led it fhould be again reported, that
they made flaves of their Indians, and deprived them of
that free exercife of their judgment, upon which the fa-
vages pride themfelves fo much. They therefore never
interfered in the confultations of the inhabitants of Gna-
denhuetten on this fubje6l. The latter were averfe to quit
their pleafant fettlement, more efpecially after they difco"
vered the true motives of the Iroquois, juftly fearing, that
they would at laft be deprived of their teachers, and even of all
intercourfe with the Brethren. Several however got the
better of their fcruples, and refolved to move to Wajo-
mick.
Abraham and Gideon were the mod a£live in promoting
this affair. The latter, formerly called Tadeuskund, who
had waited long for baptifm» as mentioned above, foon
proved by his whole behavior, that the doubts of the mif-
fionaries concerning his fteadinefs were too well founded j for
he was like a reed, fhaken with the wind. Hearing that the
heathen Delawares had nominated him their chief, he be-
gan
Ch. XL Tntibles at Giiadetihuetten. i ^ i
gan to fide with Abraliam, who being now a captahi of the
Mahikan nation, infilled, that the converted Indians, having
once accepted the invitation, could not refufe going to Wa-
jomick. Thefe tvyo men fought to make a party, and
though they did not meet with much fuccefs at firll, yet
it occafioned much contention between huibands and wives,
parents and their children. They gained their point fo f air,
that on the 24th of April, fixty-hve perfons, and Ihortiy
after five more, removed from Gnadenhuetten to Wajo-
mick without a miffionary. Moft of them burft into tears
at taking leave, pi-omifrng, that they would cleave unto
the Lord Jefu«) and remain faithful. Fifteen more repair-
ed to Nefkopeko without any invitation; and all reprefent-
.ations of the inevitable injury which y/ould accrue to their
fouls, were in vain. To fee thefe people depart, filled the
miffionaries with the moil pungent grief. They and the Elders
of the congregation at Bethlehem, could do nothing, but wait
in filence, and comfort themfeh'es with confidering, that
though the enemy defigns mifchief, God has all things in
his pov/er, and can bring good out of evil.
Gnadenhuetten had fcarcely fufrered this great lofs of
inhabitants, when it was partly fupplied from another quar-
ter. The new proprietor of Meniolagomekah declared that
the Indians fliould quit that place. The believing Lidians
applied immediately to the Brediren, who fent them a cor-
dial invitation by the miflionary Martin Mack to remove
to Gnadenhuetten. Their joy was iiiexpreffible. They
fald : " Let us infbantly break up ! our Brethren have open-
" ed their arms to receive us, and call unto us, to fly to them
" in our diftrefs." They got ready in great haftc, and be-
fore the end of April, the whole congregation, confilling
of forty-nine perfons, moved to Gnadenhuetten.
The Indian affiftants were now excited to new zeal and
watchfulnefs, in promoting the real v/elfare of their peo-
ple. They owned, that their former deficiency in love to
God our Savior, and the confequent v/ant of true bro-
therly love, had weakened their hands In the execution
L 4 of
1^2 ^.f-ry Gnadenhuetten built. P. II.
of their office. They now folemnly renewed their covenant,
to be faithful unto the Lord and his people.
Soon after, it became necefTary for the inhabitants of
Gnadenhuetten to remove to the north fide of the river Le-
cha, the land on the Mahony being too much impoverifh-
ed, and other circumftances requiring a change of fituation.
Jacob, an affiftant, exprefled himfelf concerning the future
courfe of the congregation, thus : *' "W'Tien the fnakes come
** forth out of the ground in fpring, they have ftill their
** old winter-coat on ; but by creeping through a narrow
*' hole, they rid therafelves of the old fkin, and appear as
5' new-born. Thus I wifh, that we may leave every thing
** by which we have difpleafed the Lord in the old place,
" and bring nothing into the new, that is not well-pleafing
« to him."
In the removal of the buildings, the chapel only excepted,
the Indians were kindly affifted by the congregations at
Bethlehem, Nazareth, Chriftianfbrunn, and Gnadenthal,
who furnifhed not only workmen and materials, but even
contributions in money. Unanimity and diligence contri-
buted fo much, towards the progrefs of this work, that
the firft twenty houfes were inhabited by the 4th, and the
foundation-ftone of the new chapel laid, on the nth of
June. Bifhop Spangenberg offered up a moil fervent prayer,
and delivered a powerful difcourfe on this folemn occa-
fion. The houfes were foon after completed, and a re-
gulation made in all the families for the children of each
lex to be properly taken care of. The dwellings were
placed in fuch order, that the Mahikans lived on one, and
the Delawares on the other fide. Tlie Brethren at Beth-
lehem took the culture of the old land on the Mahony
upon themfelves, made a plantation of it for the ufe of
the Indian congregation, and converted the old chapel into
a dwelling, both for the ufe of thofe Brethren and Sifters
who had the care of the plantations, and for miffionaries,
paffmg on their vifits to the heathen.
A fynod
Ch. XI. Account ofWajomifly Pachgatgoch^ ^c. 1 53
A fynod was held in New Gnadenhuetten, from the 6th,
to the nth of Auguft, and the chapel confecrated. Many
Indian afliftants were invited to this fynod, the chief in-
tention being maturely to confider the fituation of the In-
dian nuffion.
Tov/ards the end of June, the miffionary Mack feeling
a flrong impulfe to vifit the emigrants at Wajomick, fet
cut for that place with Brother Gottfried Roefler. The
rivers were much overflowed ; but no difhculties or perils
could .ieter him from proceeding. God gracioufly regarded
his faith, and fived him out of many dangers, in a man-
ner almoft miraculous. He was greatly comforted, M'hcn
he found that the Indian Brethren had not departed from
the Lord, but that even fome, whofe condu£l: at Gnaden-
huetten had not been the moft pieafing, had turned to Him
with their whole heart, and received pardon and peace.
They were very defirous to have a miffionary refiding amongft
them, and in this view propofed to fend deputies to Onon-
dago, who fhould likewife requeft the council to grant
them land on the Sufquehannah as their hereditary pro-
perty, where they might all live together undifturbed, as
3 church of God. Some of them had borne fuch teftimo-
nies of our Lord and Savior to the neighboring heathen,
that when the miffionary arrived, they were prepared to
hear him with gladnefs, though formerly particularly at-
tached to their heathen facrifices, to which they afcribed
all the good they enjoyed. One obferved : " I am one of
" thofe, who wifh to hear your words, for I believe, that
** I have hitherto been in the wrong, and fliall mifs of fal-
" vation. I am therefore uneafy, and defirous to know the
" right way." Others fpoke to the fame eiFeft, and Bro-
ther Mack preached with great freedom, pointing out the
right way, by inviting them to become partakers of the free
grace, offered unto us through the meritorious fuiFerings of
Jefus. He found here feveral of the baptized, who had
formerly flrayed from Shekomeko, and rejoiced to have this
opportunity qf alTuring them again of his love; but he felt
much
154 Account of Wajom'tch^ Pachgatgoch, t^c. P. II.
much uneafinefs in difcovering an Indian book circulated
here, which the favages affirmed to contain every thing they
wanted to know, of God, of the world, and of hunting-,
and confequently affirmed that the Bible was ufelefs. By
this delufion the poor heathen were more confirmed in their
^inbelief. The miffionary found all the people living on the
Sufquehannah in great fear and dread, both of the inroads
made in the country by the Catawas, then at war with the
Six Nations, and of the French, who threatened the Indians
-with fire and fword, unlefs they a£led in concert with them
againft; the Engliffi. Befides this, the people of New Eng-
land, who laid claim to Wajomick, were advancing, and in-
tended to feize the land by force.
Soon after Brother Mack's return, the Brethren Grube
and Gottlieb Rundt fet out on a vifit to "Wajomick and Neiko-
peko ; in both places their difcourfes were fo well received
by the Indians, that they defired the interpreter to repeat
them. The Brethren were always forry to be obliged to
preach to the heathen by an interpreter j and therefore foon
began to look out for men, who might make it their princi-
pal iludy, to learn the language of the heathen to whom they
"were called. For this purpofe two (Indents, Fabricius and
Wedflaedt, came this year to Gnadenhuetten, the former to
iearn the Delaware, and the latter the Shawanofe language.
Fabricius made a quick progrefs, and was foon able to com-
pofe fome Delav/are hymns, and to tranflate feveral parts
of the Scriptures into the Delaware language: Brother
Grube did the fame, and kept a finging-fchool for the boys
and young brethren, by which he himfelf greatly improved
in the language, for the Indians always corre£led him if he
made any fault. His fcholars learnt the hymns and tunes
with great eafe, and one of them brought him an hymn com-
pofed by himfelf. Brother Schmick likewife had made fo
. quick a progrefs in the Mahikan dialeft, that he preached
fluently, tranilated the hiflory of our Savior's fufferings,
compofed fome hymns, and now and then tranilated fliort ac-
counts of the Miffions among the Greenlanders and Negroes,
which
Qh. XI. David Znjherger's Return to Onondago. 155
which were read to the Indian congregation. David Zeif-
berger fpoke the Maquaw language fluently, yet the learn-
ing of thefe dliEcult languages was greatly impeded by the
total want o-f the proper means of inilruclion.
The congregation at Pachgatgoch, coniifling of monc
than 1 00 Indians, proceeded this year in a pleafing courfe.
The miihonaries praifed God, efpecial'y for the unrefervetl
manner in which the Indians owned their defeats and aficed
advice. One of them faid, " that he was in doubt, how he
" Ihould behave in future, his heart being as unbroken
" as that of a ilubborn horfs." He added : " A man may
*' have a very wild horfe, but if he can only once make it
*' eat fait out of his hand, then it will always come to hini
*' again ; but I am not fo dlfpofed towards our Savior, who
■" is continually ofFerhig me his grace. I have once tailed
" grace out of his hand, yet my heart flill runs away; even
" then, when he holds out his grace unto me. Thus we In-
*' dians are fo very flupid, that we have not even the fenfe
" of beafts."
As to externals, they had much dillurbance tov/ards the
cSofe of this year. Four white people having been mur-
dered by fome unknown Indians at Stockbridgei the inhabit-
ants of the neighboring town of Sharen were in the ut-
moft confternation, and the magiflrates fent a peremptory
order to Pachgatgoch, that no Indian iliould fet foot upon
their land, under pain of death. A fufpicion arifmg, that one
of the murderers was fecreted here,, the Brethren were
obliged to fubmit to difagreeable examinations, by which
however their innocence was fully proved.
In this year Brother David Zeiiberger returned to his pofl
in Onondago, with Brother Charles Frederic, and refided
there almoft a whole year. The great council was again
kind enough to aflemble in the houfe, in which thefe Bre-
thren lodged ; and a council held foon after their arrival, de-
fervcs particular notice. They had in confideration a mef-
fage fent by the Nantikoks, defiring the Iroquois ferioul'ly
to weigh the caufe, why the Indians fo remarkably dimi-
nillicd
1^6 Account of New Gnadenhuetten. P. IL
niflhed innumber, adding, tliat in their opinion, it proceed-
ed merely from drunkennefs; that they fhould therefore
refolve to drink no rum for the fpace of four years only,
and it would then appear that they would increafe ; that
then alfo they would not be fo often ill, nor die fo early;
for all this was owing to their drinking rum. They faid,
that drunkennefs was alfo the reafon that the Indians did
not plant at the proper feafon, and thus fuffered fo much
by famine. This was more earneflly enforced by a draw-
ing upon wood, reprefenting that God fees thofe who get
drunk, and how the devil would hereafter torment all who
are addi61:ed to this vice on earth.
Though this remonftrance was made with great earneft^
nefs, yet the members of the great council themfelves could
not refolve to attend to it, but continued to drink as ufual,
which at length proved fo troublefome to the Brethren, that
they begged and obtained leave to build a fmall houfe for
their private ufe. This dwelling, though very fmall, was
the neateft in Onondago, and proved fuch a comfortable
retirement, that they refolved to flay there during the
winter. They earned their livelihood by cutting timber,
grinding hatchets, and chiefly building houfes for others ;
yet they frequently fulFered v/ant, and were obliged to hunt
or feek roots in the foreft. The Indians would fometimcs,
exprefs their aftonifliment at their fubmitting to live in
poverty, merely out of love to them; and their chufing
to fuffer hunger, when they might have plenty in their
own country. But the Brethi-en thought themfelves fufh-
ciently rewarded, when nov/ and then they could enter into
a familiar converfation with the Indians, and defcribe to
them the love of God, the Savior of all men, which made
him die for them alfo.
In New Gnadenhuetten, the miffionaries had much reafon
to rejoice at the internal courfe of their congregation. Bi-
{hop Spangenberg having returned from Europe, took great
pains to teach, exhort, and comfort the whole congregation
and every divifionof it, particularly inflruiling the parents
Ch. XI. Account of New Gnadetihuetten. I57
to educate their children in the fear of the Lord; and even
attending to the children with the greateft diligence. God
abundantly blefled his labors, and the miflionaries were
much indebted for his advice and affiftance in the perform-
ance of their refpe£live duties. Notv/ithllanding the grief
occafioned by the above-mentioned divifions, they had now
occafion to rejoice at the manv inftances of the power of the
Gofpel on the hearts of the heathen vifitors, and at the con-
fidence and faith of many Indians, who departed this life.
A child feeing its mother weep, faid fliortly before it ex-
pired, " My poor mother, why do you M^eep fo much .'' you
*' need not be anxious about mC; for I am going to our Sa-
" vior." The latter end of a brother called Jeptha, above
100 years old, was truly edifying : he fent for all his children,
and taking an affe^lionate leave of them made them pro-
mife, that they would faithfully adhere to Chrift and to
his congregation, and never fufivr thenvfilves to be feduced
by the world. He then expreflec'. Lis defire to depart and to
be with Chrill, and foon after fell afleep. He had been an
Indian of great rank \ and the lawful poffelTor of a large
trad of land in the diltri6t of New York, but was expelled
by the white people.
The external troubles of Gnadenhuerten ftill continued.
The inhabitants were not only charged with a kind of
tribute, to (liov/ their dependance upon the Iroquois, but
received the following very fmgular meliage, brought by
the above-mentioned old Chief of the Shawanofe, called
Paxnous, and Gideon Tadeuskund, who had proved unfaith-
ful to their caufe : " The great head, 'that is, the council
" of the Iroquois inOuondago, fpeak the truth, and He not;
" they rejoice that fome of the believing Indians have moved
" to Wajomick, but now" they lift up the remaining Ma-
" hikans and Delawares, and fet them alfo down in Wa-
" jomick ; for there a fire is kindled for them, and there
*' they may plant and think on God : but if they will not
*' hear, the great head, or council, will come and clean their
" ears with a red-hot iron :" that is, fet their houfes ou
6re, and fend mulket^balls through their heads. Paxnous
then
158 Account of Gnadenhucttcn. P. ij,
then turned to the mifiionaries, earneftly demanding of
them, not to hinder the Indians from removing to Wajo-
mick; for that the road was free, therefore they might
vifit their friends there, flay with them till they were tired,
and then return to their own country. Thefe lafl words oc-
cafioned much refie£tion and uneannefs in the minds of the
believing Indians, as they fuppofed them to be a fure tokenj
that the Iroquois only pretended to favour them, but in
truth had evil defigns againfl their peace. They gave no
anfwer, but faid, that they fnould confult their great council
in Bethlehem, concerning the contents of this siaeflage.
CHAPTER, XII.
1755-
i>^ew Troubles in Gnadenhuetien. yournies to the Stif^
quebannab^ Pacbgatgoch, and Shomokin. A War
fuddenly breaks out. Ravages commhied near Sho-
mokin, Conjiernation throughout Pennfylvania. The
Mijjion Houfe on the Mabony attacked by the Savages,
Eleven Perfons murdered. Deliverance of the Con-
gregation at Gnadenhuetien. Dangerous Situation of
the Brethren in Bethlehem,
THUS v/as the congregation fituated, at the beginning
of the year 1755; a year of great trouble and afflic-
tion. The more the inhabitants of Gnadenhuetten confi-
dered and debated upon the above raeiTage, fent^by the Iro-
quois, the mere their uneafiuefs increafed, and a variety
of opinions took place. Som.e thought beft, to repair to
Wajoniick; others refufed to cr. migrate. The adverfaries^
cfpecially thofe in Neflcopeko, ufed all their endeavors to
ftrengthen the former, rcprefenting the inevitable danger
they vv^ould expoic themlelves to, in difobeying the orders of
the
Cli. XII. New Troubles. t^g
the Iroquois : thefe infmuations had alfo too great weight,
efpecially as the believers could not forget that threat, that
their er.rs fliould be cleaned with a red-hot iron.
Meanwhile the Brethren at Bethlehem . had received au-
thentic intelligence, that the removal of the Indian con-
gregation to Wajomick did not originate in the great council
of the Six Nations, hut that only the Oneida tribe, with the
warlike Delavvares and Mahiicans, had formed this plan, and
falfely afcribed it to th^e Iroquois in general. , It had
been likewife difcovered, that -feveral perfons of charasSler
in Philadelphia joined them in endeavoring to remove the
Chriilian Indians to Yv"ajoiruck, hopinfz, thr.t the people of
New England would thereby be prevented from taking pof-
feflion of that place, id which they themfelves laid fome
clainik The Brethren heard alfo, that the happy ccurfe of
the baptized Indians at Wajomick had not been of long
duration, and that many of thefe poor peoplfe had not only
fuffered in their own hearts, but had done harm to others.
All this tended to increafe the fcruples of the Brethren with
regard to the removal of the Chriilian Indians ; and though
they did not chufe to inform them of the ftratagem made
by the Oneidas, Delav/^res, and Mahikans, nor of the
fchemes of the gentlemen of Philadelphia, yet they could
not refrain from giving them a faithful and timely caution.
The elders of Bethlehem fent therefore a deputation to
Gnadenhuetten, in the beginning of February ; confifting
of the Brethren, Chriftian Henry Rauch, Nathanael and
Chriilian Seidel, who appointed a meeting of all the bap-
tized, to converfe withthem in a friendly and cordial manner,
as fathers fpeak with their children. Having lirfl reminded
them of the rich grace they had received from God our Sa-
vior, they declared the deep grief, felt by the Brethren for
every one, who had gone aftray, and relapfed into heathen-
ifm. They fhowed, from recent inilances, the mifery of
all who thus flighted the grace of God, pointing out
the true figns of an hour of temptation, and reprefentinp--
the imminent danger of giving ear to feducsrs. They fur-
ther
l6<i New "Troubles. P. IL
ther obferved, that the Brethren did not prohibit any one from
leaving Gnadenhuetten, but would only guard them againft
all hurt to their fouls, and thus, on fome future day, be
able to prove to them, ih^t in v/^tmng them, they had dlf-
charged their duty. Then kneeling down with the whole
congregation, they with many tears recommended this be-
loved people to the grace, mercy, and prote£tion of God.
This declaration of the Brethren produced the defired
eiTe£l: in moft of the Indians. Several who had not only
deviated, but endeavored to draw others ande, publicly
and of their own accord, owned their tranfgreffions, beg-
ging forgivenefs of the reft ; which was granted v/ith joy.
The miilionaries obferve in their account, that perhaps the
powerful grace of God was never more evident, than in
feeing an Indian, naturally obllinate and inflexible to the
laft degi-ee, appear before a whole body of people as an
humbled linner, confefs his faults, and afk pardon of God
and of thofe whom he had offended. Some however, ftill fup-
pofmg that the above-mentioned meflage was really fent by
the head-chiefs of the Iroquois, and that they muil follow their
di6lates as obedient children, would not yield to conviGion.
However when Paxnous returned on the nth of February
with thirteen perfons in his retinue, to demand an anfwer to
the meflage he had brought lafl year, they were all fo far agreed,
that an anfwer v/as delivered to him in Bethlehem, with a
belt of wampom, to the following effedl : "That the Bre-
" thren would confer with the Iroquois themfelves, concern-
" ing the intended removal of the Indians at Gnadenhuet-
*' ten to Wajomick."
Paxnous, being only an ambafTador in this bufinefs, was
fatisfied, and even formed a clofer acquaintance with the
Brethren. His wife, who heard the Gofpel preached
daily, was fo overcome by its divine power, that flie be-
gan to fee her loft eftate by nature, prayed and wept in-
cefTantly for the forgivenefs of fms in the blood of Jefus,
and earneflly begged for baptifm. Ker hufband, having
lived thirty-eight years with her in marriage, to mutual ia-
tisfadllon.
Ch. XIL iTew Troui>/es. i6l
tIsfa£lion, willingly gave his confent, prolonged his flay
6t Bethlehem, was prefent in the chapel, and deeply af-
fefted when his wife was bapti2ed by Bifhop Spangenberg,
during a powerful fenfation of the prefence of God. The
day following they returned home, Paxnous' wife declaring,
that fhe felt as happy as a child new born* Frederic
Poft accompanied them to Wajomick, partly to look after
the baptized^ who lived difperfed on the Sufquehannah,
and partly to lodge thofe miffionaries, who fliould Vifit them
either from Gnadenhuetten or Bethlehem.
Not long after, another meflage was fent from Wajomick
to Gnadenhuetten, commanding the baptized in a fevere
tone, and for the laft time, to go to Wajomick. To this
they anfvVered undauntedly^ " No one has perfuaded us to
"^ live at Gnadenhuetten *, it is oUr free choice, and there-
** fore here we will (lay; where we may both hear the words
** of our Saviorj and live in reft and peace." An Indian bro-
ther faid, " What can the head-captain of the Six Nations
" give me in exchange for my foul .'' He never Gonfiders
" how that will fare at laft !" Another faid, " God, who
" made and faved me, can proteft me, if he pleafe. I am
" not afraid of the anger of men ; for not one hair of my
" head can fall to the ground, without his will." A third ex-
prefled himfelf thus : ^* If even any one fhould lift up his
" hatchet againft m.e and fay, Depart from the Lord and the
*' Brethren j I would not do it." Thus moft of them declared
their reliance upon God, and remained firm.
The congregation in Gnadenhuetten had now a fhort
time of reft, and proceeded in the ufual order, to general
edification. The Brethren availed themfelves of this period,
as well to renew the obfervance of thofe principles, laid
down in the fynods and other conferences, concerning the
mifTions among the heathen, as alfo to fend miffionaries to
pi-each and adminifter the facraments to the Chriftian In-
dians refiding in other places, and to fpread the Gofpel
among the heatlien far and near.
In this view, the Brethren Chriftian Seidel and Heriry
Frey went to Wajomiclj_ and Nefkopeko. In returning from
Part II. M the
iSl The Brethren vifttWajom'ick.^c. JP. It
the latter place they were gracloufly preferved from immi-
nent danger. Some Indians, who were averfe to the preach-'
ing of the Gofpel, lay in ambulh in the wood, intending
to tomahawk or fhoot them, but provideiitialiy miffing the
direct road, the Brethren efcaped.
Chriftian Seidel went twice this year to Pachgatgoch, bap-
tized feveral Indians, adminiilered the Lord's Supper to the
communicants, paffing through Oblong, Saiifbury, She-
komekoj and Reinbeck, where his animated teitimony of
the Gofpel was well received by many. He rejoiced greatly
over the fmall church of God in Pachgatgoch, which truly
deferved the characSler given it by an Indian brother : " Me-*
" thinks," faid he, "' we are a fmall feed, fown in the
" ground, where it firft lies dormant, but gradually fprings
** up, gets into ear and ripens. Our Savior has planted
" fuch a fmail feed in this place ; it has fprung up, the
" plant is now nurfed, and I wifli that we may all ripen
" and bear fruit." They were even an example to their
Chriftian neighbors. One of them vifited a feparatift, and
converfed with him and his family till paft midnight, con-
cerning his firft awakening, and what the Lord had fince
done for his foul, not without bleffing. Another being quef-*
tioned by a company of Chriftians concerning the fear of
death, replied, "I am not afraid, for now I have no more
" a bad confcience. My Savior died for me upon the
" crofs: I believe in Him, and Ihall live with Him for ever,
<* becaufe He himfelf has promifed it." They heard him with
aftonifhment, and faid, " You are an Indian of a particular
" turn of thinking indeed,"
As to externals, the troubles at Pachgatgoch Increafed.
The neighborhood being in great dread of the French,
the young people were called upon to ferve againft them.
Some of the baptized fuffered themfelves to be perfuaded td
take the field, and repented, when it was too late.
The miffionaryi Brother Grube, went meanwhile to the
weft branch of the Sufquehannah, and to Quenifliachfliachki,
where fome baptized Indians lived. The Chief oppofed him,
but he preached the Gofpel wherever he found an opportunity,
4 Irt
Ch. iS3l. The Brethrin viftt t^ajomici, ^c. 16'^
In June and July, the Bretiiren Chriftlan Seidel and Da-
vid Zeifberger, who had returned from Onondago in fpring,
went again to Wajomick and other places on the Sufque*
hannah, fhunning neither difficulties nor danger, but ex-
horting the Indians refiding there, who then fuffered great
hunger, to put their trull in the grace and mercy of God
our Savior. They were fooh followed by Martin Mack and
an Indian affillant from Gnadenhuetten, who preached the
Gofpel in all places with great power, in the Mahikan lan-
guage. During one of his difcourfes, he obferved a ftrange
Indian liftening with great attention, who had travelled 300
miles from the north-weft country, and related the occafion
of his journey as follows, viz. : His elder brother, living in
his houfe, had "been many days and nights in great perplexity,
wifliing to learn to know God, till at length he refolved to
retire into the woods, fuppofing that he fliould fucceed bet-
ter, in a ilate of feparation from all mankind. Having
fpent many weeks alone in great affliftion, he thought he
faw a man of majeftic appearance, who inform.ed him, that
there were Indians living to the fouth-eaftj wh<p were ac-
quainted with God and the way to everlafting life ; adding,
that he fliould go home again and cell the people what he had
feen and heard. "This," fald the Indian, " is the reafon, why
" I am come hither. When I heard my brother fpeak, I felt
" immediately a defire to go in fearch of the people he de-
** fcribedi Now I have heard your" difcourfe, and your
** words have been welcome to my heart." He then fat out
on his return j rejoicing to be able to make knov/n this dif-
tovery to his countrymen.
iSoon after Brother Mack's return. Brother Schrnick, his
"wife, and an Indian aiTiftant, went to the country on the
Sufquehannah, and the declarations of many, both bap-
tized and unbaptized Indians, proved, that God was with
him and blefled his teftimony.
In Shomokin the fufferings of the Brethren increafed (o
much^ as,to be almofl infupportable ; bat they improved every
opportunity to preach the crofs of Chrift with boldncfs and
M % fervency,
1^4 Begmnltjg of the tnd'ian Wai\ P. IL
fervency, in which they were alfo greatly encouraged by vifits
iirom the Brethren at Bethlehem.
At this time all was peace in Gnadenhuetten : but fuddenly
the fcene changed, and fear, horror, and inexpreffible diftrefs
filled the whole country. A cruel Indian war, occafioned by
the conteft between the Englifh and French, burft at
once into flames, fpreading terror and confufion, efpecially
throKghcut Pennfylvania.
The firft outrage was committed about five miles fromSho-
mokin; where the French Indians fell upon fix Englilh plant-
ations, plundered and fet fire to the dwellings, and mur-
dered fourteen white people. The three Brethren, Kiefer,
Roefler, and Wefa, refiding in Shomokin, were expofed to
the moft imminent danger : but not willing to forfake their
ftation without advice from Bethlehem, Wefa went thither
to reprefent their fituation. He was accompanied part of the
way by Brother Roefler; but as the latter was returning to
Shomokin, he was flopped by white people, and obliged to
follow Wefa to Bethlehem. Upon hearing that Brother
Kiefer was left alone in Shomokin, the Brethren, Anthony
Schmidt and Henry Frey, immediately fet out to conduct
him home, but being confidered in Tulpehokin as deferters,
they were not permitted to proceed, and obliged to return.
This however did not deter them; but J. Jacob Schmick and
Henry Frey went in all hafle to Wajomick, and brought the
following formal mefTage to the Chief Paxnous : " Go and
** conduct our brother in Shomokin fafe home." Paxnous
immediately fent his two fons, giving them proper inflruc-
tions, how to refcue Brother Kiefer, if he even fhould be in
the hands of the enemy. Meanwhile Kiefer had fet out
alone to go to Wajomick, and was met on the road by Pax-
nous' fons, who condu61:ed him fafe to Gnadenhuetten.
. Every day difclofed new fcenes of barbarity committed by
the Indians. The whole country was in an uproar, and the
people knew not what courfe to take. Some fled to the eaft ;
feme to the weft. Some fought fafety in places from which
others had fled. Even the neighbors of the Brethren in
Bethlehem
Ch. XII. Bcghinvig of the Indian War. \6^
Bethlehem and Gnadenhuetten forfook their dwellings, fear-
ing a fudden invafion of the French Indians. But the Bre-
thren made a covenant together, to remain undaunted in the
place allotted to them by Providence. The peace of God
comforted them in a fpecial manner, and preferved their
hearts from fear and defpair.
However, no caution v/as omitted j and becaufe the white
people confidered every Indian as an enemy, the Indian Bre-
thren in Gnadenhuetten were advifed, as much as pofiible,,
to keep out of their way ; to buy no powder or fhot, but to
drive to maintain themfelves without hunting, which they
very willingly complied with.
November i8th, fome mefiengers arrived in Gnaden-
huetten from the Indians at Wajomick, who, with many-
complaints, delivered the following meffage : " We, being
*' friends of the Englifli government, are in great fear and
*' diftrefs. We are in danger of being attacked on all fides
'* by enemies, who are much enraged. We are no lefs afraid
*' of the white people, who fufpe(£l us of having been ac-
*' ceflary to the murders, committed in various places. We
" wlfh to fpeak of thefe matters to the governor of Phila-
*' delphia. But we cannot go thither without a proper pafT-
*^ port. We are in danger of being murdered by the white
" people. Tell us therefore what to do." The Brethren
in Bethlehem could give no anfwer to this meffage 5 for they-
were nearly in the fame predicament with thefe Indians, and
knew that the rage of the enemy was more particularly di-
reified againft them. They therefore mentioned the requeft,
of the Wajomick deputies to the jultices of the county o^
Northampton, upon which they granted them the defired^
paflport. By this circumftance and other accounts, receive^
at the fame time, it was evident, that the Chriftian. Indiansc
at Gnadenhuetten, being confidered as friends to the Bd-
tifh government, were in the mod imminent danger of
being deftroyed by the French Indians \ and dreadful re^^
ports multiplying faft froi^i all quarters, fome wer^ fo muqh
intimidated, that they fif-d into the v/oods. Th« gre itefl, num-
M3 ■ ber
1 66 ' Murder of the Brethren on the Mahony. P. II.
ber {laid in the place, refigned to the will of the Lord,
and giving the mofl: encouraging afiurances, that they
would not forfake each other, but remain united in life and
death.
But God had othervyife ordained. On a fudden the
miflion-houfe on the Mahony, defcribed in the former chap-
ter, was late in the evening of the 24th of November, at-
tacked by the French Indians, burnt, and eleven of the
inhabitants murdered. Thefe were, Brother Gottlieb An-
ders, his wife, and daughter of fifteen months old ; Martin
NItfchman and his wife Sufanna •, the married filler Anna
Catharine Senfeman; Leonhard Gattermeyer, a widower 5
and the fingle Brethren Chriflian Fabricius, George Schwei-
gert, Martin Prefler, and John Frederic Lelly.
The circumftances attending this cataftrophe were as fol-
lows : The family being at fupper, they heard an uncom-'
mon barking of dogs, upon which Brother Senfeman went
out at the back-door, to fee what was the matter. On
the report of a gun, feveral ran together to open the houfe-
door. Here the Indians fl:ood with their pieces pointed
towards the door, and firing immediately upon its being
opened, Martin Nitfchman was inftantly killed. His wife
and fome others were wounded, but fled with the reft up
ftairs into the garret, and barricadoed the door with bed-
fteads. Brother Partfch efcaped by jumping out of a back-
window. Brother Worbas, who was ill in bed in an houfe
adjoining, jumped likewife out of a hack-window and ef-»
caped, though the enemies had placed a guard before his
door. Meanwhile the favages purfued thofe who had taken
refuge in the garret, and ftrove hard to burft the door
open y but finding it too well fecured, they fet fire to the
houfe, which was foon in flames. A boy, called Stur-
geons, ftanding upon the flaming roof, ventured to leap
oiF, and efcaped, though at firft, upon opening the back-
door, a ball had grazed his cheek, and one fide of his head
was much burnt. Sifter Partfch feeing this, took courage,
and leaped likewife from the burning roof. She came
down
Ch. XII. Efcape of the Chrjjiian Indians at Gnadenhuetten. 1 67
down unhurt and unobferved by the enemies, and thus the
fervent prayer of her hufband was fulfilled, who in jump-
ing out of the back-window, cried aloud to God to fave his
wife. Brother Fabricius then leaped alfo off the roof, but
before he could efcape, was perceived by the Indians, and
inftantly wounded with two balls. He was the only one,
whom they feized upon alive, and having difpatched him
with their hatchets, took his fcalp and left him dead on the
ground. The reft were all burnt alive, and Brother Senfe*
man, who firft went out at the back-door, had the inexprelT"
ible grief to fee his wife confumed by the flames. Sifter
Partfch could not run far, for fear and trembling, but hid
herfelf behind a tree, upon an hill near the houfe. From
hence fhe faw Sifter Senfeman, already furrounded by the
flames, Handing with folded hands, and heard her call out ;
" 'Tis all well, dear Savior, I expeded nothing elfe !" The
Iioufe being confumed, the murderers fet fire to the barns
and ftables, by which all the corn, hay, and cattle were de-
ilroyed. Then they divided the fpoil, foaked fome bread in
milk, made an hearty meal, and departed j Sifter Partfch
looking on unperceived.
■'' This melancholy event proved the deliverance of the
Indian congregation at Gnadenhuetten : for upon hear-
ing the report of the guns, feeing the flames, and foon
learning the dreadful caufe from thofe who had efcaped;
the Indian Brethren immediately went to the miffionary,
and offered to attack the enemy without delay. But being
advifed to the contrary, they all fled into the woods, and Gna»
denhuetten was cleared in a few minutes i fome who
already were in bed, having fcarce time to drefs them*
fclves.
Brother Zeifberger, who had juft arrived in Gnaden*
huetten from Bethlehem, haftened back to give notice of
this event to a body of Englifh militia, which had march-
ed within five miles of the fpot : but they did not ven-
ture to purfue the enemy in the dark, •
^^ 4 November
1 68 Efcape of the Chrtjlian Lidiaus at Gnadenhuetten. P. II,
November 25th, at three in the morning. Brother Zeifberger
arrived in Bethlehem with the melancholy account of the
murder of fo many of our people, and at five it was made
known to the whole congregation. The grief, occafioned
by thefe doleful tidings, may be better conceived than de-
fcribed. Though all were affe£led with the deepeft grief,
yet a perfeft refignation to the adorable will of the
Lord prevailed in the whole congregation. He has not
promifed unto his followers, an exemption from the troubles
and calamities of this world, but requires of them, by pa-
tiently fuiFering their fhare of the general diftrefs, to de-
mean themfelves as true children of God. The Brethren,
Worbas, and Partfch with his wife, arrived foon after, and
related the further particulars of this afBifting event.
Part of the fugitive Indian congregation joined Brother
Senfeman, and another part flocked to the miffionaries
Martin Mack, Schmick, and Grube, and their wives, who
notwithftanding the darknefs of the night, had fet out on
the road to Bethlehem, and by the mercy and protedion of
God arrived there fafe. Brother Shebofch remained alone
in Gnadenhuetten, and by walking up and down the ftreets
the next day, encouraged feveral of the Indian Brethren and
Sifters, who had hid themfelves in the neighboring woods,
to return. The miffionaries Martin Mack and Grube went
alfo from Bethlehem towards Gnadenhuetten, to feek thofe
of the congregation who were ftill miffing; for being thus
fcattered, they were in danger of being killed, not only by
the hoftile Indians, but by the white people, who were
much enraged at all Indians without exception. God grant-
ed fuccefs to thefe faithful miiTionaries : for having found
moft of the fugitives, they returned with them, and with
thofe colleded in Gnadenhuetten by Brother Shebofch,
praifing the Lord for their deliv.erance. All thefe Indians
were lodged, clothed, and fed by the inhabitants of Beth?
lehem, with great kindnefs. Such as were ftill miffing, fled
to Wajomick, which place they reached in fafety,
As
Ch. XII. Dangerous Situation of the Brethren's Settlements. i6^
As foon as the French Indians had been driven from thofe
parts, the remains of the Brethren and Sifters, killed on
the Mahony, were carefully colle£led out of the aflies and
ruins of their dwellings, and folemnly interred. Amidft all
this affliction, it gave us fome comfort that the bodies of
the Brethren and Sifters had not faUen into the hands of
the favages, that of Brother Fabricius was only burnt on
one fide.
The Brethren confidered this difaftrous event, not merely
In a political point of view, but traced the providence of
God in it, who permitting this evil to take place, had gra-
cioufly averted a much greater. Juft about that time, no-
thing lefs was intended, than to deftroy the whole work o^
God committed to the care of the Brethren in North Ame-
rica, and even entirely to overturn their whole eftabliihment
in thrit country. A bitter enemy of the Gofpel had forged
a letter, perhaps without conCdering the dreadful confe-
xjuences of his malice, pretending that it had been written
by a French officer in Quebec, and intercepted by the
Jlnglifh. This letter was publiftied in all the newfpapers,
and ftated, " That the French were certain of foon con-
** quering the Englifli, for not only the Indians had taken
f' their part, but the Brethren were alfo their good friends,
^* and would give them every aftiltance in their power."
The general fufpicion raifed by this lying accufation was
increafed by the calm and fteady behavior of the Bre-
thren. That chearfulnefs, which proceeded from their re-
lignaiion to the will of God, and enabled them to continue
uninterrupted in their ufual daily employments, was mifcon-
ftrued by the deluded muUitude as a certain proof of the
truth of the above-mentioned charge. It was therefore ge-
nerally aflerted, *' That the Brethren were certainly in
" league with the Indians and French, for otherwife they
" would not be fo contented, nor tranfaCl their bufinefs with
" fuch compofure of mind." The common people were ex-
ceedingly enrr.ged, and the Brethren were under continual
apprehenfion of being attacked by the mob : nor could Go-
vernment
lyo Dangerous Skiiation of the Brethren's Setilemenis. P. II.
vernment have defended them, though well convinced of
the fincerity of their intentions. Travellers were not fafe
in the ftreets and inns. Bifhop Spangenberg was infulted
by ar» inn-keeper, who with one hand lifting up a large ftake
and threatening to knock his brains out, held in the other
the newfpaper containing the above-mentioned letter. Bi-
fhop Spangenberg endeavored to pacify him, but his anfwer
was : " If what I fay of the Brethren were not true, it would
" not be printed here." In the Jerfeys a public declara-
tion was niade with beat of drum, that Bethlehem fhould
be deftroyed, and the moll dreadful threats were added, that
in Bethlehem, Gnadenlmetten, and other places, a carnage
fhould be made, fuch as had never before been heard of in
North America. It afierwards appeared, from the beft au-
thority» that a party of an hundred men who came to Beth-
lehem, were purpofely fent to feek an opportunity of raifing
a mob ; but the friendly and hofpitable treatment they mec
with from the Brethren, who knew nothing of their inten-
tions, changed their refolution. The fufpicion againfl the
Brethren gained daily more ground in all the Englifh colo-
nies, and every body confidered them as fnakes in the grafs,
and friends to the French. But after the attack made upon
the Brethren on the Mahony became publicly known, the
eyes of the people were opened. Evert before the remains
of the murdered perfons were interred, many hundred peo-
ple came from diftant parts, and feeing the fettlement ir^
afhes, and the corpfes of the Brethren and Sifters burnt and
fcalped, were fully convinced of the untruth of the reports
againfb them. Many (hed tears, and fmiting upon their
breafls, exclaimed: "Alas, how greatly have we finned
** againft an innocent people, accufing them of being in league
*^ v/ich the Indians and French," One faid : " I myfelf
*' have entertained thefe wicked thoughts, and I am now not
" only convinced of their innocence, but find that they are
** the firft in this country, againft whom the rage of the
" favages has been directed. Ah, what ftiould we have had
*' to anfwer for, had we followed our defign of extermi«?
*« nating;
Ch. XIJ. Dangerous Situation of the Brethren's Settlements' 1 7 1
•* natingthe Brethren, and deftroying their men, "v^^'omen, and
•' children, upon the fuppofition that they were our enemies.'*
Thus the fting of the adverfaric? in a great meafure loft its
power, and the Brethren now praifed and thanked the Lord,
who, by permitting the enemy to Ihed the blood of a few of
their number, and to burn their dwellings, had entirely de-
^royed the defigns of Satan, to deliver them altogether
over to the fury of an enraged mob. And had Gnaden-
huetten rem:^ined ftanding on the old fpot, then in all
probability, the Indian congregation would have been at-
tacked, and fuffered a much greater carnage than that at the
Mahony. It was likewife a eonfulation to the Brethren, that
there ha4 been no occafion to ftain their hands with the
l^lood of the enemy, but that all could join, together with the
blood of their murdered Brethren, to cry for mercy and £or-
givenefs from God for the murderers.
It could not then be afcertained, to what nation the lat-
ter belonged, but they were, moft probably, partly Shawa-
yiofe, formerly refiding in Wajomick, who went over to the
French in great numbers, and partly Delawares, who v/ere
enemies both to the Englifh and the Iroquois, though they
pretended that the latter had put the hatchet into their
hands, and encouraged them to go to war.
Under thefe circiimftances the fugitive Indian congrega-»
tion in Bethlehem prefented a petition to Government, de-
claring their loyalty, and recommending themfelves to the
proteftion of the governor and other magiftrates. His Ex-^
cellency aflured them of his good will and protection,
advifing them to remain in Bethlehem for the prefent. And
as both they and the miffionaries had left their efFecls and
harveft in Gnadenhuetten, he kindly ordered a party of
foldiers to march into thofe parts, to defend the property
of th-e Chrjftian Indians, and |;he country in general. But
on New Year's Day 1756, the fayages attacked thefe troops,
fet fire to Gnadenhuetten and the mill, and deftroyed all
the plantations 5 by which the Indian congregation and its
miflionaries wqvq reduced to the greateft poverty.
The
172 Refidence of the Chr\Jlian Indians at Bethlehem. P. IL
The fituation of the Brethren in Bethlehem became now
very critical, by the number of Indians refiding in the
place. The favages infifhed upon their taking up arms
againft the Englifh, threatening to murder them in cafe
of refufal. Moreover, a fet of fanatics fprung up, who
demanded the total extirpation of the Indian tribes, left
God's vengeance fhould fall upon the Chriftians, for not
deftroying the Indians, as the Ifraelites, by his command,
had deftroyed the Canaanites of old. Thefe people were
greatly incenfed againft Bethlehem, on account of the pro-
tection and afliftance granted to a race of beings, deemed by
them to be accurfed. The inhabitants of Bethlehem, there-
fore, confidered themfelves as fheep ready for flaughter -, and
when they went to bed, never knew whether they fhould
life the next morning. Fathers and mothers wept over
their children, reprefenting to themfelves the cruelties they
might expe6l to endure from the fury of the blood-tliirfty fa-
vages.
Yet refignation to the will of the Lord was the general
difpofition of all the inhabitants ; not one fought fafety by
leaving the town, but the chief concern of each individual
was, to be prepared and willing at every moment, by day
and night, to appear before the prefence of God, and to enr
ter into eternal reft. They were led the more firmly to
unite in praying unto God, in the words of Hezekiah: "O,
•* Lord our God^ ive befeech thee^fave thou us., that all may know ^
*' that thou art the Lordy even thou only" not only from the
common boaftings of the Indians: "We fhall foon fee,
" whether the God of the Brethren be able to deliver them
" from our hatchets ;" but likewife from the ridicule of a
white neighbor, who had faid : " The Brethren are conti-
*' nually fpeaking of our Savior, and praying to him; now
" we fnall fee, whether He can fave them."- He heard them,
and filled their hearts with joy, peace, and extraordinary
chearfulnefs, proceeding from a firm reliance upon his pro-
tection. The daily worftiip of the congregation was attend-
ed with fo powerful a fenfation of the prefence of God,
anct
Ch. XIL Refidence of the Chrijlian Indians at Bethlehem. 173
and of brotherly love, that all the letters received at that
time from Bethlehem, feemed diftated by a fpirit of thanks
and praife. The courage of the Brethren in keeping their
flation, proved a comfort and protection to the neighbors;
for if they had fled, nothing could have obftrufted the in-
roads of the favages. The whole country from Bethlehem
to Philadelphia would have been expofed to their ravages,
and even Philadelphia itfelf have been rendered unfafe :
fo that government confidered the Brethren's fettlements
as a bulwark, raifed up in defence of the neighboring coun-
try. It afterwards appeared, that the Indians frequently
remarked in their councils, that if they could only put the
Brethren to flight, every thing elfe mull yield to them.
They therefore formed various plans to attack their fettle-
ments with their combined force. Though the Brethren
firmly relied upon the help of the Lord, they neglected
nothing that might tend to their fafety. The children were
brought from the different fchools to Bethlehem. Bethle-
hem itfelf was furrounded by pallifadoes, and well guarded
both night and day, Europeans and Indians taking their
turn with great willingnefs j though this duty was attended
•with inconvenience, as fometimes forty were out upon guard
at night, moft of whom had to attend their ufual bufmefs,
in the day-time. In every other fettlement of the Bre-
thren in North America, a difcreet perfon was appoint-
ed to give the proper directions, and to keep ftriCt watch.
Even thofe at work in the plantations were guarded.
This was chiefly committed to Indian Brethren, who
efteemed it a favor, to be thought worthy of fuch an im-
portant charge. " Who am I," faid one of them, " that
*' I fhould watch over children of God.-' I, poor man, am
" not worthy of this grace. Nor can I do it properly.
** Therefore watch thou thyfelf over them, gracious Savior,
** for thou alone canft protecEl them !"
This watchfulnefs was not only a neceflary caution, but
proved very effetlual in defending the place, for the Bre-
tiiren were, according to tl'eir own expreffion, furrounded
bv
1 74 Refidence of the Chrijlian Indians at Bethlehem. P. 11*
by wolves, tygers, and wild beads : the favages conti-
nuing by murder and fire to lay wafte the neighboring
country, and wherever they came, to do as itiuch mifchief as
they poffibly could. They plundered and deftroyed feveral
villages io near to Bethlehem, that the flames of the houfes
were di{lin£lly {Q.<txi. The murderers approached even near
to the place itfelf, lurking aboiit with torches, and endeavor-
ing to fhoot burning wadding upon the thatched roofs.
They attempted five or fix times in the night, \(i make a
fttdden attack upon this and fome other fettlements of the
Brethren, but when their fples, who always precede, ob-
ferved the great watchfulnefs of the inhabitants, they were
afraid and withdrew, as they themfelves afterwards owned*
Once in the day-time, a party of them came to attack a large
field in which about forty fillers were picking flax, whom
they intended to feize and carry off prifoners, and were
already clofe to it, creeping upon their bellies in the In-
dian manner. But perceiving a ftrong guai-d of Indian
Brethren with their pieces loaded, juft as they were rifing
from their ambulh, they made ofF, and thus an engagement
V/as avoided-, for which the Brethren always thanked and
pralfed the Lord4 For though they were very unwilling to
flied the blood of their enemies, yet they were refolved^
at all events, to defend the women and children entrufted
to their care, and confequently mufl have fired upon and
killed many of the afiallants, which would have caufedthem
and the mifllonaries inexprefiTible grief.
God raifed alfo fome friends among the favages, who pre*
Vented much mifchief. Four foidiers, who deferted from
their regim.ent lying at Eafton, and fled to the Indians, told
them, that they came from Bethlehem, and had i^zrv the
Brethren cut off the heads of all the Indians, v^-ho fled tor
them from Gnadenhuetten,put them into bags and fend them
to Philadelphia, where they got fifty Spanifii dollars a head,
and that they had only left tv^^o of thefe poor fugitives alive,
to ufe them as fpies. Upon hearing this, the Indians were
fo em-aged, that, though not v;^ry \^'ell difpofed towards
the
Ch. XII. ]R.efidence of the Chrijlian Indians at Bethlehem . i 7 ^
the Indian congregation, a large party fet out, witK a view
to murder all the Brethren and to burn their fettlemetits.
But Paxnous, the above-mentioned Chief of the Shawanofe,
a man of great authority am_ong his people, fen t after them,
with orders not to hurt the Brethren, whom he knew to
be perfet^ly innocent ; as they would find, upon a nearer
examination. When the favages fliil perfifted in their in*
tentions, he fent a meffenger with a large belt of wampom,
and an exprefs order for them immediately to return ; add-
ing, that he pofitively knew, that thofe people, whom they
intended to deftroy, were good men^ Many obeyed and re-»
turned, and the few that remained, not thinking tliemfelves
a match for the Brethren, difperfed. Neither watchful-
nefs nor ftrength could have faved them if they had been
attacked by fo large a force. Sometimes v/eil-difpofed In-
dians, hearing of a plot laid againft them by the warriors.
Would travel all night to warn the Brethren, and thus
their fchemes were defeated : not to mention other inftances
of the providence of God in their behalf^
Both the firmnefs of the Brethren and their good political
fegulations, caufcd their diilreffed neighbors in great num-
bers to take refuge in their fstclements. Hundreds of wo-
men and children came even from difbant places, crying and
begging for (iielter, fome alrnofl deftitute, having left their
all, and fled in the night. Some Brethren were once going
with three waggons to fetch corn from a mill beyond the
Blue Mountains, when they were met by a great number oi'
the inhabitarits of that country, who were in the greateil
dJdrefs and confternation, the favages having attacked their
towns, murdered many white people, .and fet fire to their
dwellings. The v.^aggons therefore returned, loaded with
thefe wretched people, many of them having efcaped froiii
the enemy, almcft without any coverings As long as therd
was room, thefe poor fugitives Were protefted and fed.
Bethlehem, Nazareth, Friedensthal, Chriftianfbruun, and the
Rofe, were at this time confideied as afylums for all, who
fied from the murder and rapine of tlic hoililc Indians, and
the
1 76 tlejfdenc^ of the Chrijiian Indians at Bethlehem. P. ih
the empty fchool-houfes and mills were allotted to them foi'
a temporary refidence.
Thus God in his wifdom wrought an extraordinary change
of affairs. The fame people, who were but lately fufpe£led
of a fecret correfpondence with the enemy, and of merely
aiFe£ting confidence in God from treacherous motives, now
protected and defended thofe, who in ignorance had calum-
niated and threatened them with deftru£lion.
It may eafilybe conceived, that the Brethren were brought
into great ftraits, by the number of people reforting unto^
and depending upon them for fubfiilence. There had been
a great drought during the fummer, and they reaped but half
the ufual quantity of corn and fruit.
The lofs, fuftained by the deftru£lion of Gnadenhuetten,
the mill, and the Mahony farm, was very confiderable. Be-
fides this, the favages had fet fire to upwards of a thoufand
bufhels of wheat, belonging to the Brethren in different
places. Their trades had greatly failed by the troubles of the
war; the expence of providing for the Indian congrega-
tion, who were entirely impoverilhed, fell wholly upon
them J the fugitives from other places were lodged, fed, and
many of them cloathed ; and the troops marching through
the fettlement, whofe number frequently exceeded a thou-
fand in one week, were fupplied gratis with provifions.
The Brethren however did not lofe courage, but exerted
themfelves with all frugality to procure the neccffaries of
life for their guefls and themfelves, relying upon the fup-
port of our heavenly Father in this extraordinary emer-
gency, and upon the a£l:ive benevolence of the European
congregations. Nor were their prayers in vain, or their hopea
djfappointed.
[ 177 3
CHAPTER XIIL
17565 17573 1758.
Situation of the Indian Congregation at l^efhlehem.
Continuation of the Indian War. Attempts to negotiate
a Peace. The lavages fall continue to commit great
Cruelties. Situation of the Ccngregatlcn at Pach*
gatgoch, and of the Bapilzed Indians, living on the
Sifquehannah. Building of Naln.- The Troubles
of War fulfide on the Borders of Pennfyhania. Vg'
rlous Accounts.
T this periodi die Indian congregation had reft, dwelling
fafely under the care and protection of the Brethren in
Bethlehem. The latter viewed their edifying courfe with joy,
and afforded them ail the affiftance in their power. They
were under the care of the miihonaries Mack, Grube, and
Schmick. Having hitherto been very much crowded, near
feventy perfons lodging in one houfe ; two fummer huts
and a large hut for their daily meetings were built in
fpring. Both thefe and the fchools were continued in the
ufual order. The Indians frequently attended the meetings
of the Bethlehem congregation, and both old and young
increafed in the knowledge and grace of Jefus Chrift. Se-
veral were particularly fervent, in devoting themfelves with
foul and body unto the fervice of the Lord. One circum-
ftance however proved very diltrelBng to the Indian Bre-
thren. They could not venture to hunt, the Englifh hav-
ing promlfed a reward of one hundred and fifty pieces of
eight for. every. living Delaware, and one hundred and thirty
for every fcalp. Indeed an exception was exprefly made in
favor of the Indians at Bethlehem j but at any diftance from
, Part II. N th«
1^8 Refidence of the Chf'ijlian Indians at Bethlehem, P. iTy
the town, they would have been taken for enemies, and (hot
by the white people, who were greatly enraged at the In-
dians in general. The governor of Pennfylvania therefore
thought proper, to warn our Indians by a letter, from ftray-
ing far from home. This advice they promifed to follow,
and the Brethren kept them to a drift obfervance of their
promife. They prayed fervently, that God would not only
preferve the Indians committed to their care, but gra-
cioufly avert the deflruftion of any hoftile Indians, by the
guards at night, left it Ihould occafiion a report through-
out the country, that the Brethren enriched themfelves
by the Indian fcalps. The Lord heard their prayer, and
prevented this evil. Part of the Indian Brethren earned
their livelihood by doing all kind of work as day-laborers,
and during the harveft in the year 175^, they guarded the
reapers. The Indian Sifters made bafkets and brooms. Yet
this was not fufficient to procure a maintenance, and, they
were relieved by colleftions made for that purpofe in other
congregations of the Brethren-
Meanwhile the favages continued their depredations, and
the governor of Pennfylvania publiftied a proclamation, by
v/hich he declared war againft all Indian nations, who
{liould perfift in hoftilities, inviting all thofe, who would
lay down their hatchets, to meet at a treaty of peace. Co-
lonel Johnfon and Mr. Croghan went to Onondago, to treat
with the Iroquois. The governor fent llkewife an embafTy
to the Delawares, who fpoke as yet in a very high tone,
and another to the Indians on the Sufquehannah. At his
Excellency's particular requeft, one of the Indian Brethren
from Bethlehem accompanied the latter. Several Indians
accepted the invitation given by government, and came to
Bethlehem, where they were well received.
The confidence placed in the Brethren was now fo great,
that both the Englllh and the Indians twice attempted
to hold the congrefs at Bethlehem. The fecond time, Mr.
Croghan and a chief officer from Onondago came and infift-
ed much upon it, adding, that the Iroquois had llkewife de-
terminied^
Ch. XlIL "Refidnice of the Chriflian Indians at Bethlrhem. 1 79
termined, that it fliould be held here. Bifliop Spangen-
berg earneftly entreated him, not to urge it, becaufe the
number of children then at Bethlehem, might receive great
prejudice in their tender minds, having been hitherto care-
fully preferved from the very name of many vices, but too
commonly pra£lifed on fuch occafions. This remonftrance
was kindly attended to, and the congrefs appointed to
be held at Eafton, the Indians being fafely conduced to
that place. On their journey, the captain of thofe favages,
who had attacked and burnt the houfe of the Brethren on
the Mahony, was killed by Tadeuskund in a violent
difpute.
No final agreement however v/as made at Eafton ; the
Indians received prefents from the Engliili, and promifed
to return at a fixed period. Tadeuskund, who behaved
as if he were king of the Indians, and very juftly was called
" the Trumpet of War,"* undertook to go to all thofe na-
tions, which had lifted up the hatchet, to perfuade them to
agree to a permanent peace.
After this congrefs, Betlilehem had a great number of
Indian vifitorsj who were lodged in fome houfes belonging
to the Brethren, on the other fide of the Lecha. For
fafety's fake, the jufliice of the peace, refiding in Bethle-
hem, examined every new-comer concerning his intended
ftay, by which they were kept in order, though feverai of them
did no good to the Indian congregation by their vifit. The
Brethren faw with particular regret, that Gideon Tadeus-
kund, baptized by them, had not only become one of the
chief captains of the hollile Indians, but took great pains
to raife difTenfions among the baptized, and to draw them
from their attachment to the Brethren. However, his at-
tempts were then in vain ; even his baptized wife declared,
that as fhe belonged to the people of God, flie would live
and die with the Brethren. The vifits and refidencc of
fome others in Bethlehem proved the means of their eter-
nal falvation. They heard the word of reconciliation, ou^n*
ed their fins, tafted the rich comforts held forth in the
N 2 dovftrine
1 S o Refidence of the Chrl/ltan Ifidlans at BethleBern, P. II,
doctrine of Jefus Chrift, and feeing living witnefles of that
great truth, that Jefus came into the world to fave finnersy
they fought fellowfliip v/ith theni.
Among thofe who at this time obtained leave to live
with the believers, one declared his fentiments in the fol^
lowing energetic manner :
" I befeech the Bretliren to permit me to dwell with
** them. I will not abide with them only for a few days, or
*« months, or years, but as long as I live : if the Brethren
" are perfecuted, I will even die with them. This is my
** fincere determination. I defire not to fave my life, if I
" could ; nor do I feek an eafy or convenient life among
*' them, provided I gain life for my foul." He then be-
gan to weep aloud, and added : " Now you know, what I
'' came for." An Indian woman faid : *' For feveral days
*' paft, I have been very forrowful, and pray, that our Sa-
*' viot would have mercy upon me, and Impart faith unto
" me. I confider the Sifters as fine flour, but I am no-
" thing but chafF, and know that I cannot be faved and go
*' to God, unlsfs I am cleanfed from all my fins in his
" blood, and baptized into his death." She and feveral
others were foon after baptized. Even fome of the incen-
diaries came to Bethlehem, with their families, being driven
thither by hunger and diftrefs, and were lodged beyond the
Lecha, at the requeft of government. They received their
daily portion of provifions from Bethlehem, and the Brethren
thanked God for this opportunity of doing good to their
enemies.
Though both the magiftrates and the Brethren fliowed
great kindnefs to the Indians, yet the favages continued
to commit murders in Allemaengel ; and a lance, loft by
them on the road, proved them to be fome of the very
people, who had attended the congrefs at Eafton. Roving
parties infefted the borders of the country, the public roads,.
and all thofe places in which they feared no refiftancej
fo that the fmall colonies of Brethren fettled in Allemaen-
gel and Bethel on the Swatara, who had held out with un-
common
C^. XIII. Refidencc of the Chi-ifiia?! Indians at Bethlehem. i8i
common patience, were at laft obliged to take refuge, the
former in Bethlehem, and the latter in Lebanon. Every
outrage of the favages was a new fource of danger to the In-
dian congregation, for many of the white people even now
fufpecled their peaceable difpofitions. But God in mercy
faved them, and gave them favor in the eyes of the chief
magiflrates. The governor himfelf came to Bethlehem on
the 17th of November 1756, vlfited them in their dwellings,
and behaved in a very kind and condefcending manner
towards them.
Towards the clofe of the year, the fmall-pox broke out
among the Indians; and it v/as fo regulated, that all thofe,
who were infedied, fliould retire beyond tlie Lecha, where
all poffible care was taken of them.
Amidftall thefe troubles, Pachgatgoch was not forfaken.
-The miflionary Jungman and his wife, and the fingle Bre-
thren Eberhard and Utlevjrefided there. The daily worfhip and
fchools continued in their ufual courfe, and the raagiftrates
gave them prote6t:ion. To the latter they freely fhowed
every letter they received, thus preventing any fufpiclon,
as though they were in league with the French; which
fome enemies had infmuated. Here we cannot omit fome
very painful inftances of the power of Satan. Even a few
of the baptized relapfed into heathenifm. One of thefe
wretched people, being drunk, ran againPc a large kettle of
foap, boiling over the fire, overfet it, and M^as fcakled to
death. Another ftabbed. his v/ife, wounded another Indian,
and at laft killed himfelf. Thefe dreadful examples caufed
the reft to conftder their own ftate, and earneftly to refledl
on the miferable end of fuch, who reject the grace of God
our Savior.
Wajomick was entirely forfaken by the Indians in
1756, and they fettled in or near Tiaogu. Many of them
having been baptized by the Brethren, refufed to be con-
cerned in the war, but neverthelefs fuffered great harm
in their fouls, during the late troubles. They were like-
wife in imm.inent danger of tlieir lives. Their declaration,
N 3 that
l82 Rtfidence of the Chriflmn Indians at Bethlehem. P. IJ^
that they belonged to the Brethren, and would not fight,
enraged the favages, who threatened to tomahawk every-
one of them; and the white people, defirous of obtain-^
ing the high reward fet upon Delaware fcalps, watched every
opportunity to kill them, fo that they durft not venture
out. Added to this, they fuftered much from famine and
cold, not being able to procure any cloathing, and the Bre-
thren, to their great grief, faw no poflibility of coming to
their affiilance.
In January 1757, public fervice began to be performed in
Bethlehem in the Indian language, the litany being tranllated
into the Mahikan dialect by the milhonary Jacob Schmick,
Several parts of the Scriptures and many hymns were alfo
tranflated into the Delaware language for the ufe both of
the church and the fchools. The children frequently came
together and fang praifes to our Savior, commemorating
his death and fufferings, in German, Mi\hikan, and Dela-?
ware hymns.
Meanwhile the ravages of the wild Indians ftill (Continued,
They went out in parties of twenty and thirty, murdering
and plundering the country people. The baptizedJndians re-r
ceived a meffage from their heathen countrymen living on
the Sufquehannah, defiring them to come and live there:
but their reply was, " that, if it were the will of God, they
" would rather fuffer themfelves to be deftroyed with the
" Brethren, than prove unfaithful to him,"
Tadeuskund was continually marching to and fro with
large parties of warriors, pretending to ufe all his endeavors
to make peace. In thefe circuits he came frequently to
Bethlehem, where it evidently appeared, that he and the
other warriors chiefly fought to perfuade the Indian cour
gregation to go to Wajomick: but finding neither per-
fuafions nor threj^ts of any avail, they, with great afiurance,
reprefented at a congrefs of peace held at Lancafter in
April, that their friends were kept prifoners in Beth-
lehem, and not even permitted to hunt, begging that they
might i)e fent to Wajomick. The magiftrates replied; that
tho
€h. XIII. Refidence of the Chrifl'taJi hdlans at Bethlchevu 1 83
the Indians were a free people, and might go wherever they
pleafed : but this and other circumftances led the Brethren
to endeavor to procure a proper refidence for the Indian con-
gregation ; as they had hitherto been in Bethlehem only as
guefts. The Indian afliftants and fathers of famiHes being
convened, they were unanimous in declaring, that, as they
would not live after the vain traditions received from their
forefathers, but after the will and commandments of Jefus
Chrift, they therefore muft neceflarily live feparated from
the other Indians, amongft whom they and their children
would fufFer inevitable damage in their fouls, as they had
already experienced. The Brethren at Bethlehem gave im-
mediate information of this refolution to government, and
the Indians accompanied it by a petition to the governor, re-
commending themfelves to his future prote£lion, and begging
leave to build a town in the neighborhood of Bethlehem.
To this a very favorable anfwer was given, and the Bre-
thren obtained the confent of government to give them land,
about a mile from Bethlehem, where they built a regular
fettlement, and called it Nain.
Meanwhile fome Delaware families moved In May to Gna-
denthal, a place belonging to the Brethren •, and the mifQonary
Grube and his wife went to live with and ferve them with
the Gofpel.
June loth, the firft houfe was built at Nain, but the trou-
bles of the war greatly retarded the progrefs of the other
buildings. The internal courfe of the Indian congregations
both in Bethlehem and Pachgatgoch was edifying. Many
hundred favages heard the Gofpel in both places, and fe-
veral who believed were baptized. Among the latter were
two accomplices in the Mahony murder.
Towards the clofe of the year i 757 it feemed, that peace
would be eftabliflied in thefe parts. But on the Sufquehan-
nah the troubles increafed» the French endeavoring to en-
tice the Indians, to withdraw to the Ohio, where they
might join the Iroquois againft the Englifli. Many alfo were
perfuadedj even Paxnous and fome of the baptized were
N 4 drawn
1 84 Reftdence of the Chriflian Indians at Bethlehem, P. II,
drawn Into the fnare, and though not engaged in the war,
were brought into fpiritual and temporal mifery, to the great
grief of the Indian congregation. Some turned again to the
Lord, confeiTed their deviations, and departed this life in
reliance upon the merits of Jefus, as pardoned finners.
Others returned to the congregation, among whom were
feveral of the former inhabitants of Gnadenhuetten. Thefe
might indeed be con£dered as patients, dangeroufly ill;
having by their tranfgrefficns and infidelit)^ grievoufly loaded
themfelves with fpiritual difeafes. In this ftate they were re-
ceived v/ith the greater love and compaiTion, and their repent-
ance was not in vain.
The hiltory of the year 1758 furnifhed many inftances of
the mercy of that good and faithful Shepherd, who feeketh
his loft fheep in the wildernefs. Benjamin wrote a letter
to the Indian congregation, owning his tranfgreflions; and
with many repenting tears declared his finccrity. His wife,
Abigail, related, that {he frequently went out into the wood,
crying unto the Lord, that he would bring her back unto
his people ; that (lie had been exceedingly perfecuted among
the favages, and frequently thought herfelf furrounded by
devils; but that {he well knevi^, that our' Savior would not
have fuffered her to come into fuch diftrefs, had {he walked
uprightly before him. Her mother added, " When I heard,
*' that fo many of our brethren and fifters were killed by the
*' favage Indians, I wept exceedingly, and took it fo 'o heart,
" that I wiilie^ I had died with them. I counted the days
when fcur Vv'eeks were elapfed, I tied a
g, and now I have twenty knots. So long
*' was I obliged to live among the favages. Now \ moft
*' earnefily entreat the congregation, to pardon all my fins
^' againft God. and his people. Receive me again, I have
*' devoted myfelf anew to Jefus, and as long as I live in
*' this world, \ will cleave to hini alone."
The joy, occafioned by the return of fuch poor flraylng
(heep, could not meet v/ith a feverer check, than when others,
who had flood firm in the gveateft dangers, fuffered them-
3 felves
Ch. XIII. Refideuce of the Chrijllan Indians at Bethlehem, i S^
felves to be led aftray by fordid confiderations, exchanging
peace of mind for uneafinefs and trouble. This was, alas I
the cafe with Auguftus, one of the affiftants, whom his bro-
ther-in-law, Tadeuskund, found means to feduce and turn
from the fimplicity which ii in Chriil Jefus, by reprefenting
to him, that in Wajomick he would be a man of much
greater refpetlability, than in Bethlehem. The Brethren
indeed ufed every perfuafion to reclaim both him and Ta-
deuskund, who with about I GO of his followers, lived this
year for a long time in the neighborhood of Bethlehem. In
the beginning hopes were entertained of his return ; he
owned his dreadful deviations, and feemed truly contrite.
Once he faid: '• As to externals, I poiTefs every thing in
'* plenty j but riches are of no ufe to me, for I have a troubled
*' confcience. I ftill remember well, what it is to feel peace
*' in the heart, but I have now loft all." He even fent to
beg the Brethren to appoint fome one to preach the Gofpei
pn the other fide of the Lecha, where he and many other
Indians lived, who v/ere afliamed to go to Bethlehem chapel.
But, alas ! he foon turned back, and all hopes of his re-
covery were loft: he now even endeavored to dcftroy the
peace and comfort of the Indian congregation, taking occa-
fion from the prcfciit negotiations of peace to raife a difturb-
ance. Matters having been fo far fettled, that the Englifh go-
vernment made peace with 300 Indian deputies, met at Eafton,
as reprefentatives of ten nations, Tadeuskund pretended
that this peace had been agreed to upon a private condition,
viz. that government fliould build a town on the Sufquehan-
iiah for the Indians, fend and maintain teachers for them,
and give orders that thofe Indians living with the Brethren
flrould move thither. Government had never given the Bre-
thren the leaft intimation of fuch a meafure, yet Tadeus-
kund pretended to have received full commiiTion, to condu£l:
all the Indians, and confequently alio thofe of Bethlehem, to
"Wajomick, demanding their compliance with thefe propofals;
promifing, moreover, that fields fhoulci be cleared and ploughed,
houfes built, and provifions provided j that their teachers (hould
attend
\i6 Rcjideaa of die Cbnflan Indians at Bethlehem: P. 11,
attend them; that they fliould live there unmolefted; and
that he himfelf would have no other teacher; and finally,
that they fiiould be at liberty to choofe a detached place
where they might dwell by themfelves. To this the Indian
Brethren replied, That they rather chofe to live in their
prefent fituation ; their wives, young people, and children,
being well provided for; they therefore begged him to ufe
his intereft, to procure them peace and fafety here ; that this
did not imply, that tliey intended to forfake him, but that
tliey fhould remain his good friends. Tadeuskund, much
(Enraged by this anfwer, behaved very infolently, uttered fomc
fevere threats, and fet out for Philadelphia in great wrath.
Here a general peace v/ith all the nations was in agitation,
and thofe Indians likewife, who had moved from the Suf-'
quehannah to the Ohio^ were invited to come to the treaty,
though not prefent at the congrefs held atEaflon. As go-
vernment could find no European who, at the rifkof his life,
would undertake to deliver this meffage, Brother Frederic Poll,
then in Bethlehem, who had fied from the rage of the favageg
in Wajomick, was prevailed upon to perform the journey.
He went twice to the Ohio, and was fuccefsful in perfuad-
-ing the Indians, to fend deputies to the treaty. July ift, he
arrived with them in Bethlehem, and thence proceeded to
Philadelphia with three Indian Brethren, who were called
by government. The miffionary, Gottlob Senfeman, accom-
panied them, and afterwards gave them that teftimony, that
their walk and converfation had been worthy of the Gof-
pel, and had made a good impreffion on the minds of fe-
veral gentlemen in power.
Meanwhile Augullus endeavored to perfuade the congrega-
tion, that all Indians, living among the white people, would
be obliged to remove to Wajomick, efpecially thofe refiding
at Bethlehem. Though not a word palled upon this fubjecTt
during the whole treaty at Philadelphia, yet the Indian Bre-
thren became perplexed, Auguilus always mentioning go-
vernment as his authority. The Brethren moreover received
authentic information, that feveral enemies to the converfion
of
Ch. Xni. Their Removal to Nahi, |$7
of the heathen were very aftlve in ufing every effort In their
power to difperfe the two Indian congregations at Bethlehem
and Pachgatgoch. When Tadeuskund therefore returned
from Pliiladelphia, and with great violence demanded their
final anfwer, they thought prudent to give it in the following
words: " If the Chiefs and the Governor have pofitively de-
*' termined, that we Ihall not live here any longer, but re-
" move to the Sufquehannah, we will do it, hut not by our
" own choice. This year we cannot think of moving, on ac-
" count of the number of our children and old people."
Tadeuskund pi-etended to be fatisfled, and his departure
would have given great fatisfa£lion, had he not feduced Au-
guflus and his whole family to leave the believers and to foU
low him. But God in mercy prevented the bad confe-^
quences, which were apprehended from their great influence
upon the minds of others. Many even declared, that they
would never leave the place, their hearts revolting at the
idea of being feparated from their brethi-en. Jacob fald,
" I cannot conceive it poflible for me to live any where but
*' M'ith you. I have now lived fixteen years with the Bre-
*' thren. I confider myfelf as a young child, which, when
?' fupported with both hands, may ftand or walk, but as foon
*^ as left to Itfelf, inftantly falls. The Brethren lead me to
" our Savior , but if I am feparated from them, I muPc fall."
However, with a viewto filence the adverfaries, the Brethren
declared publicly and repeatedly, that if any Indian wiflied
to leave Bethlehem, he fliould have perfe£l: liberty to depart;
and if any one behaved improperly, he would even be deGred
to go away, contrary to his inclination.
Amidfl all -thefe troubles, the building of Nain had made
fuch progrefs, that the Indians could remove thither in
autumn. Oftober 1 8th, their chapel was confecrated, to
the great joy of the believing Indians. The fame regulations
were made at Nain as before at Gnadenhuetten. The pub-
lic and private worfliip was attended with peculiar bleffing,
and the Brethren at Bethlehem frequently allifted the mif-
liorifiries. Thofe appointed to preferve order, were diliger\t
in
iSS Jccotmt of Naht. P. IL
in the performance of their duty, and great attention was
paid to the fchcols. In general, the education of youth v/as
particularly attended to in this period, and the parents were
often exhorted to encourage it. The Indian afiiilants were
alfo of great ufe to the miffionaries, by their timely and unre-
fcrved remarks, made upon proper occafions. Jcfhua,
happening to be prefent, when fome mothers were corre£l-
ing their children, in a fit of paffion, on account of
their levity and difobedience, gave them a fevere repri-
mand, adding : " My dear Sillers ! I perceive, that you
" have a very wrong idea of the behavior of youjr chil-
*' dren. Children of God ought not to behave thus,
" Whence proceeds their levity and difobedience ? From
" you ; therefore you ought firft to be aflianied, and to beg
*' the Lord's pardon, prarying for grace, to give your chil-
" dren a better example : if you become more earnefl and
*' diligent in your prayers to him in their behalf, you will
" do more good than by this harfhnefs j for they are as
" yet tender fprigs, - and you muft fludy the true method
" of rearing them." The mothers humbly thanked him
for his advice, nor was it given in vain.
Nain had now as many Indian vifitors as Bethlehem.
The miffionaries had once an opportunity of converfing with
twenty ftrange Indians, baptized by Romifh priefts; tell-
ing them, that a true and living faith in Jefus Chrifl is the
only way to happinefs, and that they would grofsly deceive
themfeives, if they continued in fin, and refted their hopes
upon the mere form of baptifm.
Among other vifitors, a very wild young Indian attrafted
the notice and compafhon of the Brethren. He happened
to be in one of the huts, when the fchool-bell rung, upon
which a child of three years exclaimed: *' I am now going to
" fchool> to learn to fing a verfe." Hearing this, he addrelTed
the father of the child : " I have not yet forgiven my mother,
*' that {he took me av/ay from the Brethren : I had a feel-
*' ing of tho. grace of God in my heart, and, after I had
*^ left them, ufed in fpirit to place myfelf among the chil-
** dren at fchool, and thought I heard them fmg-, but when
*' I con^
Ch. XIII. Account of Nmn, SBp
** I confid'^r my prefent ftate, and wliat a Lad life I lead,
"being a wild Indian, I always lay the blame to my mother.
*' I wifh to be converted, but cannot find the way. Alas,
*' alas ! I am a wretched man !"
About this time, mofl of the baptized who moved to "Wa-
jomick in 1754? or fied to the Sufquehannah, aftes: the a,£-
tack of the favages upon the Mahony farm, returnedj and
defired to live at Nain. But they were all lodged beyond
the river Lecha, until they had given full proof of their true
repentance and change of heart. When this was perceived,
they were gladly readmitted to fellowlliip.
In thefe years many Indian Brethren and Sifters tnAzdi.
their race. It often happened, that the dying bcii';:;Yers made
their furviving relations give them their hands, in token of
promife to remain faithful to the end, and to forfake
neither the Lord nor the congregation ; which was al-
ways • attended with a remarkable imprelTion upon their
minds. The edifying departure of an aged Brother, Mi-
chael, whom the mifiionaries in their letters uled to call the
Crown of the Indian congregation, deferves particular no-
tice. In his younger days he had been an experienced and
courageous warrior. In an engagement whjch was kept up
for fix or eight hours with great fury, he undauntedly kept
his poft at a tree, though above twenty mulket-b>i!ls lodged
in it. He was one of the firft, who turned with his
whole heart unto the Lord, was baptized in 1742, and re-
mained in an happy, even courfe. His walk was an honor
to the doctrine of Chrill, his mind chearful, and his end
calm and full of joy. The ferenity of his countenance,
when laid in his coffin, made a fingular contrail with the
figures, fcarified upon his face when a warrior. Thefe were
as follows: upon the right cheek and temple, a large fnakej
from the under-lip a pole pafied over the nofe, and between
the eyes to the top of his forehead, ornamented at every
quarter of an inch v/l;h round marks, reprefenting fcalps :
upon the left cheek, two lances crofling each other; and
upon the lower jav/ the head of a wild boar. All thefe
figures were executed with remarkable neatnefs.
90
CHAPTER XIV.
1759, I7^^> i76i> 1762.
Rejoicing at the Concliijion of Peace, hcreafe of th§
Congregation, Account of Pachgatgoch, Building
of Wechqitetank. Various Accounts. BiJl:op SpaU'^
genberg returns to Europe. Melancholy Occurrences
in Pachgatgocb. Frederic Poji is unfuccefsful on the
Ohio.
THE Frenx:h having taken and burnt Fort Duquefne, de-
ftroyed the works, and left the place ; the Englifh
built a new fort on the fame fpot, called Fort Pittfburg. Aftef
this, the whole fcene of the war in North America Ihifted,
and from the beginning of the year 1759, neither Fennfyl-
vania, nor the neighboring provinces, were difturbed by the
Indians. This caufed univerfol joy in all the fettlements
of the Brethren, but particularly in Nain, where public
thanks and praifes were offered up by the whole congrega-
tion to God our Savior, not only becaufe he had preferved.
the Indian congregation, during the above-mentioned fevere
calamities and grievous trials, in one mind and in fellowfliip
of heart, but had alfo caufed his word to penetrate into
the hearts of many favages, even in the midfl of war and
bloodfhed; fo that, being awakened from the fleep of fin,
they were baptized into the death of Jefus.
Nain foon increafed and became a very pleafant fettle-
ment. A feparate burying-ground was made for its inhabit-
ants, and they provided a church-bell, by a colleftion raifed
among themfelves. Thofe Indians who had retired to Na-
2areth, removed now to Nain, and became more eftablifhed in
grace. The fingle Brethren built an houfe for their own
ufe, and Brother Rothe being appointed to attend and in-
ftrua
Cli. XlV. Account of Nsinl 'i^'^.
ftru£l them, he was very diligent, when at home, in conven-
ing with them about the word of God. They had their own
family worfhip, and while he ferved them as teacher and
exhorter, his condant familiar converfation with them, gave
him an opportunity of making a good progrefs in learning
the Delaware language.
The meazles appearing at Nain in March 1759, the In-
dians were greatly alarmed •, but when, out of forty-feven
who were infe£led, not one died, thofe who had been fo
timid and terrified, for a while, at the appearance of death,
were afiiamed of their fears ; knowing that the diiTolutio-a
of this mortal body, would have tranflated them into the
prefence of Chrift, their beloved.
The harveft proved this year remarkably plentiful, both
in the gai-dens and plantations ; they were likev/ife fucceif-
ful in hunting, and were gracioufly preferved in many dan-
gers. A young Indian called Jofhua, was in great danger
of his life. He had fhot a young bear 5 and the dam hear-
ing the cry of its whelp, ruflied upon hirn In great rage,
Jofliua fcreamed fo loud for fear, that fhe was terrified, and
fufrered him to efcape.
Among the vifitors, the heathen teacher Papunhank from
Machwihilufing deferves to be noticed. For feverrJ years
he had been zealous in propagating his doctrines of hea-
then morality: but as both teacher and hearers were ?.ddi£l-
€d to the commiiHon of the mofl: abominable vices, and
grew v/orfe and worfe, feveral of the latter began to doubt,
whether Papunhank were a teacher of truth ; and being quef-
tioned, he frankly confeffed, that he could not- act jii^confor-
mity to his own dodlrines. When he heard the Gofpel of the
crucified Jefus, preached at Nain, he obferved, that he had al-
ways believed in a Supreme Being, yet he never knew, that,
from love to man, God himfelf had become a man, and
died to fave finners, but that now he believed, that this Avas
the faving do£lrine he wanted. Then, burfting into tears,
he exclaimed : " O God ! have mercy upon me, and grant,
" that the death of my Savior may be made manifell unto
^* me,**
r^;|! \A,ccoimt of Pachgatgoch. V. IT,
•' me.'* Some time after, he was prefent at a baptifm in
Bethlehem, and told one of the Brethren, that during that
tranfa6(;ion, he had felt fomething in his heart, to exprefs
which, he could find no words in the Indian language, and
that now his moil fervent prayer was, that that God, whom
the minlfber had defcribed before the baptifm, might re-
veal himfelf unto his fpirit. Under thefe impreffions he
went home, called his people together, and in a moft pa-'
thetic manner related what he had experienced, adding : *' My
*' dear people, I have told you many good things, and point-
*' ed out a good way ; but I have now learnt, that it was
" not the right one. If we wifli to be faved, we muft look
" to that Jefiis, whom the Brethren preach."
The congregation at Pachgatgoch was ferved at this time
by the miflionary Grube, whofe difcourfes proved ufeful,
both to his congregation and to ftrangers. The miffionaries
here became alfo acquainted with feveral Indian fepar^tifts,
who were formerly baptized by the Prefbyterians, but after-
wards excluded from their fellowfhip. They then chofe
a preacher from their own number, who once brought fe-
venteen of his congregation to Pachgatgoch. They had three
or four meetings every day, and converfed much with the
Indian Brethren, but their conduct proved no honor to that
Savior, in whofe name they had been baptized. Pachgat-
goch was much troubled by recruiting^ parties, and many
young people fuffered themfelves to be deceived by their
infmuating reprefentations of the life of a warrior: others
were glad by this opportunity to efcape from their credit-
ors among the white people. Painful as this was to the
sniflionaries, they could not oppofe it, as the recruiting of-
ficers a£ted under the authority of government, and therefore
only earneflly exhorted the Indians to remember the grace
imparted unto them •, praying the Lord to deliver them from
the mifery, into which they would infallibly plunge them-
felves, by their inconfiderate condudt. It gave them no lefs
concern to perceive that fome Chriftian neighbors endeavored
to infinuate to the awakened Indians, that they heed not be
baptized ;
Ch. ^IV. Building of Wechquetank. I93
baptized ; fo that even one who had formerly riioft ear"
neilly begged for baptifm, died without receiving it.
At Nain the number of inhabitants increafed fo fall, by
the return of many who had ftrayed during the troubles,
that it became expedient to divide the Congregation. In
this view, fourteen hundred acres of land were purchafed by
the congregation at Bethlehem behind the Blue Mountains,
where a new fettlement was begun, and called Wechque-
tank. In April 1760, the miflionary Gottlob Senfeman went
thither with thirty baptized Indians, whofe number foon
increafed. In a fliort time the necefTary buildings were
completed, and the fame regulations made as at Nain.
April 28th, the congregation met together for the firft time
In the open air, and this new fettlement was recommended
in prayer to the grace and prote£lion of God. May 6th,
the miflionary moved into his houfe, and on the 26th of June,
the chapel was confecrated. Bifhop Spangenberg and other
Brethren went frequently to Wechquetank, and a continual
intercourfe was kept up between this new fettlement andNain.
In both places, the public teftimony of the precious Gofpel,
the fpecial cure of fouls, the fchools, and the converfe with
a number of Indian vifitors, continued to be attended with
great blefftng. Among the vifitors was the ^bove-mentioned
moralift Papunhank,. his wife, and thirty-three of his fol-
lowers, in whom it appeared, that what they had heard dur-
ing their laft vifitj was tiot in vain. They were followed by
fome Nantikoks, who made another attempt, to perfuade
the believing Indians to move to the Sufquehannah, but the
latter declared Jit once againft the propofal, confirming like-
wife the words of the mifTionaries, that no Indian refiding
in Nain and Wechquetank, lived there by compulfion, but
by their own free choice.
In Auguft 1760, the affefting news of the death of Count
Zinzendorf arrived at Bethlehem. This event was publicly
made knpwn in Nain, Wechquetank, and Pachgatgoch, and
the impreffion it made upon the Indian congregations, was a
proof, how much they valued this fervant of GoJ, andfaith-
Part II. O ful
1^4 Account ofNaiiiy TVechqucfaniy ^c. P. It;
ful witnefs of the Gofpel among the Indians. They wept
over his lofs, and thanked the Lord for the bleffings impart-
ed unto them by means of his labors. Jacob faid : " I am
" exceedingly grieved to hear it ; I conceived a great love
" for this man of God at my baptifm in Oly, and hoped to
*' fee him once more in this world. TJiat is now over, but as
*' long as I live, I fhall not forget him \" Efther faid : " He
*' was the firil who pointed out the wounds of Jefus unto me,
*' when I was in Shekomeko, as the fource from whence all
" falvation flows. His words penetrated into my heart ; I
" felt a fervent love towards our Savior, and could furrender
*' myfelf up to him. And now he is gone before us to our
" Savior, and fees the marks of thofe wounds which he de-
*' fcribed." Others who had feen and known him, as a man
entirely devoted to the fervice of God, frequently defcrib-
ed him to others, expreffing their forrow for his death in
fimilar terms.
The courfe of the children this year gave the miffionaries
particular pleafure. Rofina, an orphan, being under the
care of an old unbaptized relation, faid the night before her
deceafe : " Dear grandmother, I am baptized, and cleanfed
*' in our Savior's blood, and fliall now foon go to him ; but
*' I beg you, to feek to be likewife waflied, and faved from
*' your fins by the blood of Chrift, that you may become as
" happy as I am j otherwife, when you go hence, you will
*' not be with the Lord." This exhortation from a dying
infant, made fuch an impreflion upon the old v/oman's heart,
that (he became anxioufly concerned about her falvation,
wept for the remilTion of fms in the blood of Jefus, begged
for baptifm, and was added to the church.
A child, called Rachel, thinking herfelf alon^ and unob-
ferved, uttered the following fhort prayer : " Dear Savior,
" take me home unto thyfelf j I am weary of this life; my
** heart defires to be with thee : and thou knoweft that it
*' would be much better for me, to be in thy prefence." So-
phia hearing, that an Indian brother met with a mif-
fortune in^hunting •, his gun going off unawares, and the ball,
pafTing
Cli. XIV. Account of Na'injWcchquetanli^yc. -195
paffing through his mouth, having torn him in a fliocking man-
ner j flie prayed moil fervently for her father, who was then
in the foreft : " Dear Savior, thou knoweft that my father
*' is hunting. Thou feed him, wherever he is. Preferve him,
*' I pray thee, and bring him fafe home."
The miflionary Schmick being appointed in this year to
the fervice of the congregation at Nain, Martin Mack went to
Pachgatgoch, to relieve Brother Grube, purfuing the plan of
his labors, which had been attended with fo much blefling.
The recruiting parties ftill continued to pafs through. An
Englifh captain one day aftied a baptized Indian, whether
he had a mind to be a foldier. " No;" anfwered he, " I
" am already engaged." — " Who is your captain ?" replied
the officer. — " I have a very brave and excellent Captain,'*
faid the Indian, " his name is Jefus Chrift, him I will ferve,
" as long as I live, and my life is at his difpofal;" upon
which the Englifh captain fufFered him to pafs unmolefted.
Nain became now more known in the country, and the in-
habitants had the confidence of their European neighbors,
having given undeniable proofs of their good difpofition to-
wards the white people. They had even exerted themfelves
in recovering feveral white children, who were taken pri-
foners in the war, and not being reftofed to their mourning
friends after the jconclufion of peace, were fuppofed to be
dead. Their return afforded inexpreffible joy to their nffli(^ed
parents.
In February 1 761, a white man came weeping to Nain,
begging that a few Indian Bi-ethren would aff^li him and his
wife in fearching for their little daughter, whom they had
loft the day before. Some Indian Brethren fet out imme-
diately, difcovered'its footfteps, and at length the child itfelf.
It lay about two miles from the parents houfe, covered with
an old coat, and almoft perifhed with cold. The parents
fpread the report of the good difpofition and fuccefs of the
baptized Indians all over the country, and both this and
fimilar occurrences tended not only to quiet the minds of the
white people with refpetl to this Indian town, the vicinity
O 2 of
ig6 j^ccount ofNaw, Wcchquetanh, ^c. P. 11.
of which to their fettlements had appeared terrible to fome ;
but rendered it even defirable.
In Auguft 1 761, the Englifh government had another
treaty at Eafton with the deputies of many Indian tribes,
which occafioned frequent vifits to Nain. Tadeuskund ar-
rived with a retinue of above one hundred Indians, and ac-
cording to the lift of this year, fix hundred and fifty-two
travellers were provided with food and lodging during their
flay in Nain and Bethlehem* The milTionaries and Indian
afTiftants both here and in Wechquetank were very a6live in
preaching the word of God to all that would hear, and its
power was made manifefl in many. But they were forry to
perceive in the above-mentioned moralift Papunhank, that,
though he appeared very defirous of knowing God, the
Creator of all things, yet he wiflied to keep his poft as a
teacher of the people, perfuadlng them, that he alfo was
found in faith. Brother Schmick, therefore, told him the
truth, in private, wifliing at the clofe of his converfation, that
the Holy Ghoft would impart to him a true fenfe of his un-
belief, and of the great depravity of his foul, and that he might
have an earneft defire for the pardon and remiffion of his
fms, in the blood of Jefus : " then," added he, " you will foon
** learn to know your God and Savior Jefus Chrift, as your
*' Creator and Redeemer, and experience the faving power
" of his precious blood, to deliver you from the fetters of
" fin." Joachim, an afhftant, entering the room, added,
" Papunhank, you fpeak much of your faith, but you have
" not a grain. Your faith is much the fame, as mine would
*' be, if I fhould now pretend to believe, that I had a pair
" of flockings on, when my legs are bare and cold. What
*' kind of faith would that be ?"
In Autumn 1761, a report was circulated in Nain, that an
Indian had been killed by a white man in the Jerfeys.
The whole country, ftill fenfible of the cruelties attending an
Indian war, was thereby filled with fear and dread. Ta-
deuskund alfo, returning from Philadelphia, brought the me-
lancholy news, that the war would foon break out again,
4 and
Ch. XIV. Accoufit of Nain^Wechqueta7jh^lsfc» 1 97
and that the Indians afcribed it folely to the Chriftians and
their rum trade. Many fled from their dwellings, and the
Brethren were chiefly anxious about the fate of Wechque-
tank, which lay mofl expofed to the incurfions of the enemy.
However the troubles ceafed for the prefent, and peace and
order were reftored.
In Spring 1762, David Zeifberger vifited the Indians who
had returned to Wajomick, but efpecially Abraham, who had
fent Vv^ord, that he was Tick. They all liftened with great
attention to the Gofpel j many lamented the woeful condi-
tion into which they had plunged themfelves, by a£ling con-
trary to their conviclions and the repeated advice of the
Brethren. Soon after Auguftus and his wife Auguftina,
who had both been feduced by Tadeuskund, vifited Nain,
confefled their unhappy (late to the miffionaries, owning
with many tears their fins, and expreffing a great defire to
return, if the Lord and his people would but receive fuch
wretched prodigals. Their repentance being truly hn-
cere, the Brethren willingly forgave and i"eadmitted them
to their fellowlhip. They alfo received pardon and comfort
from God, as the only balfam to heal their afflicted fouls.
They then returned to Wajomick, but the flux raging in thofe
parts, the patients, again, fent a meflage to Bethlehem, beg-
ging that one of the miflTionaries would come to them. Bro-
ther David Zeifberger therefore went, had the fatisfaftlon
to attend many of them in their laft moments, and faw
them depart with joy, in reliance upon the death and me-
rits of our Savior. Auguftus was of that number. Before his
departure, he fent for his friends, and addrefllng them with
great emotion, " You know," faid he, " that I have led a
" very unhappy and wicked life during my flay here. I was
" poor in purfc, and very rniferable m heart, owing to my
" unfaithfulnefs and difobedience. I pray you to forget all
" this, for I have returned unto the Lord, and wept for mercy
*' and for the forgivenefs of my fins; and my good and
*' gracious Lord has had mercy upon me, and pardoned all
" my tranfgreflions. The Brethren have alfo forgiven me.
O 3 " Now
jgS Account of. Nam, Wechqueianhy '<^c. P. II.
« Now my trembling heart is comforted ; and I fliall foon go
*' unto my Savior : remember my wicked life no more ;
" avoid my bad example, think on God your Savior, and fol-
*' low him and his people : thus alone you will profper.
" And now," added he, " I will lie down and reft," and ex-
pired immediately. His wife died fome days before, and her
filler, Tadeuskund's wife, followed him foon to eternal
reft.
Daniel, another baptized Indian, went to Nain, and faidj
that' during a late illnefs he had felt the fear of death, and
therefore begged leave to ftay there, that he might hear daily
of our Savior, if he fliould be taken ill. He was foon after
feized with" the flux, and prayed without ceafing for comfort
and peace in Jefus. His prayers were heard, and he re-
ceived a divine aflurance of eternal happinefs, which made
him greatly defire to depart and to be with Chrift, and thus
his laft moments were truly edifying. Thus the good Shep-
herd found and faved thefe poor fheep, concerning whom
the miffionaries had been much perplexed, fcarcely expeft-
ing ever to fee their return.
In Nain many pleafing fruits of the Gofpel appeared in
the numerous vifitors, efpecially in the year 1762, when go-
vernment held another council with the Iroquois, Dela--
wares, and other Indian tribes, at Lancafter. Almoft all,
who attended this council, went to Nain, where they heard
the Gofpel of Jefus Chrift, and many experienced its
power to the falvation of their fouls. One faid, *' Never
" did I hear any thing like this, that my God and Creator
*' ydll receive and fave ftnners who come unto him ; and
" that they may even come loaded with their fins." He
added : *' Praifed be God, that I came and heard fuch fweet
** words," and burft into a flood of tears. A young Nan-
tikok, who had fpent a month at Nain, was taken very ill,
after his return to Philadelphia, Before his death, he faid
to his tv/o brothers : " In Nain, they teach the right way
*' to eternal life. There I have often heard, that our Creator
" became a man, died on the crofs for our fins, was buried,
3 " rafg
Ch. XIV. Account of Nain^Wechquetatil^l^c. 1 99
" rofe again, and afcended up into heaven, and that who-
*' ever believes in him, fliall not periih j but when he dies,
" fhall live with him for ever. If you wifli to hear thefe
" good words, go to Nain ; and when I die, fuffer my bones
" to reft quietly in the earth, and do not remove them, accord-
" ing to your cuftom." Soon after, his brothers came to
Nain, and related this ftory, adding, that their brother had
prayed much to God, crying for mercy and pardon, to his laft
breath.
In the year 1 762, Bifliop Spangcnberg returned to Europe.
The pain the Indian congregation felt, at taking a final
leave of this beloved and refpecled fervant of God, was very
great. From the year 1736, and elpecially fince i744,God
had blefled his labor and activity in his caufe in North
America, in an extraordinary manner, and his love and faith-
fulnefs towards the Indian congregation will never be for-
gotten. The Bifhops Peter Boehler and Nathaniel Seidel,
fucceeded him in the general fuperlntendency of the con-
gregations in North America, and paid particular attention
to the million among the Indians.
Among thofe, who in their laft hours proved, that they
had lived in the faith of the Son of God, Abigail deferves
to be mentioned. Her chearfulnefs, compofure, and great
defire to be with Chrift, was edifying to -all who faw her.
She faid : " I am now foon going to my Savior, who loved
" me unto death ; I have him in my heart. O how do I
" rejoice, that he has received me poor fmner in mercy !"
She likewife exhorted her hufband and friends, to devote
themfelves to the Lord and abide in him, upon which fhe
departed rejoicing, aged twenty-five. The departure of
Peter was equally edifying. Before his end, he faid to a
miffionary : " My body is very ill, but my heart is well, and
*' by day and night in communion with our Savior, to whom
" I depart with great joy."
A boy, called Abraham, not yet four years old, was not
only remarkably patient and refigned during his laft illnefs,
but his converfation proved an abiding blefling to his father,
O 4 who
209 Troubles at Pachgatgcch, P. II.
who happened then to be in an unhappy flate of mind. On the
day before he died, he aflced him, " Father, do you love me ?"
The father repHed, " Yes, I do :" upon repeating his queftion,
he received the fame anfwer. " But then," added he, " do
" youloveourSavior?"— T-"No," replied the father, "lam juil
*' now very poor and mifprable." — ^' Ah," faid the child, " if
*' you do not love our Savior, you cannot love me as you
" ought." Another child, though very ill., whenever it heard
the bell ring, begged its parents to carry it into the chapel,
and when they fometimes replied, " You are ill, lie down
" and reft ;" it ufed to fay, ** No, firft we will go to the cha-
*' pel, and there hear words of our Savior, then I will lie
** down." Thus filled with love to Jefus, the poor child re-
mained chearful and refigned, till its foul took flight.
The congregation at Pachgatgoch was fupported in the
year 1762 under many difficulties. The neighboring country
being much reforted to by Europeans, the Indians were
confined to very narrow limits. One piece of land after the
other was taken from them, by which they loft the means of
their fupport. Thus they were obliged to run into debt,
and to live difperfed among the white people, to earn a live-
lihood. If they could not pay, they were treated with the
gceateft feverify, and even their poor furniture taken from
them. This behavior exafperated the unbaptized Indians to
fuch a degree, that they abufed the baptized on account of
their fobriety and better management of their outward con-
cerns, attacking them on the highway, and in other places,
and cruelly beating them. This occafioned fome of the bap-
tized to waver, and to become low and difpirited. Some
young people v/ere even feduced to fin, and brought into
mifery. A certain melancholy pervaded the congrega-
tion, and the miffionary himfelf began to lof? courage. At
length the Lord ftrengthened him with new power, and he
revived, when he perceived the grace attending his teftimony
of the Gofpel, which not only the Indians, but likewife the
Europeans, came in great numbers to hear. The continued
friendlhip and countenance of the magiftracy proved like-
wif?
Ch. XIV. Trouhles at Pachgatgoch. 20i
wife an encouragement. The juftice of the peace frequently
exhorted the Indian congregation to be obedient to their
feacher, adding, that if any thing difpleafmg fhould occur,
they ought firffc to go to the miffionary, and endeavor ami-
cably to fettle their difputes ; for he would determine in all
cafes, whether the affair required the interference of the
magiftrate. Thus many complaints were removed, for the
niiflionaries always advifed the baptized Indians, rather to
fufFer injury, than to go to law with any one, according to the
advice of the apoftle (i Cor. vi. 7.).
Nothing could be doneasyet, to fervethofe baptized Indians
with the Gofpel, who had retired to the Ohio. Brother Poft
chofe to live about a hundred miles beyond Pittfburg in
Tufcarora town, intending to begin a miffion among the
Indians there. The Brethren wiflied him all poflible fuc-
cefs ; and upon his fending to Bethlehem for an affiftant in
his houfekeeping, who might have an opportunity of learn-
ing the Delaware language. Brother John Heckenwaelder
offered to go thither, and foon made good progrefs. IJut
brother Pofl's view of eflablifliing a miffion, failed.
C 202 3
CHAPTER XV.
T763.
FhuriJJjing State of the Congregations at Nain and
Wechquetank. Zeljberger' s Journey to Macbwihilw
fing on the Sufquehannah. War breaks out. Dan-
gerous Situation of Nain and Wechquetank, Attack
made by the Savages upon an Irijh Settlement. The
Indians of Wechquetank fly to Nazareth. Nain
befei on all fides. The whole Indian Congregation
is brought in Safety to Province Ifland, beyond
Philadelphia. Murder of the Indians in Canefioga
and Lancaficr. Troubles of the Indian Congregation
in Province IJland.
IN the beginning of the year 1763, the congregations in
Nain and Wechquetank enjoyed peace and profperity.
The good regulations made among them were improving
every day, new houfes were built, and even the outward
appearance of thefe fettlements, gave great pleafure to every
thinking mind. March 2d, the foundation-ftone was laid
for an enlarged chapel at Nain, which was confecrated on,
the 29th of May following.
But the greateft profperity of thefe congregations was the
gracious vifitation of God our Savior, in the hearts of the
Indians, which was particularly evident during Lent and the
Eafter holidays. They then devoted themfelves anew unto the
Lord, as his eternal property, and all declared, that during
thefe days they experienced what they could not exprefs in
\vords -, it was truly, as if Chrift crucified was fet forth be-
fore their eyes. One faid : " I feel, that I have been the
** reafon of all his bitter fufFerings, but now I rejoice that
"he
Ch. XV. D. Zeijlerger'' s Jourmy to Machnvihllufaig. 203
" he has overcome for me, and liveth for ever." An old
blind Indian Sifter could not fufficiently exprefs her gratitude
to our Savior; that he had fhowed fuch mercy unto her foul,
and condcfcended to alleviate her fpiritual trouble. " YV hen-
*' ever I feel oppreffed, he appears unto my fpirit, I view
" his pierced fide, his wounds in hands and feet, and then
*' every thing which would diniinifh my confoiation in him,
" leaves me."
This joy ia the Lord in botli places, was conne£led v/ith
an earneft dcfu-e to foilov/ thofe who had .ftrayed from the
congregation \ and to fee them return to the enjoyment of
peace and comfort. On this account the death of Tadeus-
kund in April, gave them grea:: pain. He was burnt in
his houfe at V/ajomick, without having given any proof
of repentance. The drunken favages, feeing his houfe in
flames, fct fire to the whole village, which was foon confumed
to alhes. Among thofe who returned, and v/ere received
with joy, was Sarah-^ Abraham's widow, who came with
her daughter from the Sufquehannah to Wechquetank, and
begged earneftly for re-admiffion. She declared, that ih^
Vv^ould not have forfaken the congregation, but for her huf-
band ; and that he had faid to her before he died ; " I am
*' guilty of having led you to this place; forgive me, return
*' to our Savior, beg him to flrow mercy unto you, and en-
" treat the Brethren to receive you again," She followed
his advice, the inhabitants of Wechquetank received her
gladly, and a fmall cottage was built for her.
In May 1 763, Zcllberger and the Indian Brother Anthony
went up the Sufquchannah as far as Machwihikifing. The
occafion of this journey was a report of a remarkable awak-
ening in thofe parts, and that the Indians were very defirous
of feeing fome one, who could point out to them the true
way of obtaining reft and peace in their confcicnces, Papun-
hank liaving loft all his credit by the apparent ineffic -j of his
do£trines. Before Brother Zeilherger reached the town, he
was met by an ii^habitant of Machwihilufmg, called Job
Shelloway, who fpoke Englifli well, and told him, that their
council
204 D' 7jCtJherger'*s Jottrtiey to Machivihllufing. P. 11,
council had met fix days fucceflively, to confider how they
might procure a teacher of the truth; that they had come
to no refolution, except to defifl from attending Papunhank's
fermons, not believing that he preached the genuine word of
God. Brother Zeifberger, v/hofe heart glowed with defire
to preach the Gofpel, confidering this as a call from God,
haftened to the town, where he was kindly received and
lodged by Papunhank himfelt. In the evening the whole
town afTembled, defiring that he would preach the word of
God to them. In their fpeech made to him, they faid :
" We all greatly rejoiced at your arrival, and faid to each
*' other : ' Thefe are the people whom we have fo long waited
*' for; they will Ihow us the right way to falvation." Bro-
ther Zeifberger then fpoke from the abundance of his heart,
and great pov/er attended the word of reconciliation. He
concluded his difcourfe thus : *' This, this alone, is the pure
♦' and genuine doftrine of falvation : thus it is written in
*' the Bible, thus I have experienced it in my own foul,
*' and therefore am allured, and affure you, that there is no
" other way to obtain falvation, but alone through the Lord
" Jefus Chrift, who became a man, died, and is rifen again
*' for us." Anthony confirmed the miflionaries words from
his own experience, and though fatigued by the journey,
continued preaching, and extolling the power of the blood
of Jefus, before his aftoniflied countrymen, till after mid-
night. The next day, at five in the morning, the people
alTembled again ; for the women being then engaged In plant-
ing, they dcfired to hear the " great word" before they
went to the fields. The fame was done every day during
their flay. MeiTcngers were then fent to a party of Indians
who had removed about twenty miles higher up the river, to
invite them alfo, to come and hear the Gofpel, which they
did with great eagernefs. Brother Zeifberger experienced
here in a r^articular manner, how pleafing it is to preach to
fouls already awakened by the Spirit of God to feek after a
Savior and Deliverer, and having perceived that fome had
already endeavored to lead a pious and virtuous life in their
own
CIi. XV. Mijfton at Machivihiliifwg^ 20 C
own ftrength, doing good, with a view to merit heaven ; he
proved to them in a dlfcourfe held for that purpofe, that
this was not the right way to come to God, but that we muft
all, without exception, come firft to Jefus Chrift, as
wretched and forlorn fmners, and receive hearts cleanfed
and changed by the power of his blood; before we can do
works acceptable unto God; but that then it would be a
pleafant duty to do good and to keep his commandments.
The emotion occafioned by Zeifberger's diicourfes was
general. Some wept day and night for the remiffion of their
fins ; even Papunhank Was fo moved in thefe meetings, that
he cried aloud for mercy through Jefus Chrift. The fathers
of families aiTembled, and refolved to fend a mefTage to
Bethlehem, to requeft that they would fend a teacher to live
with and preach the Gofpel to them. With this meflage
Brother Zeifberger and his companion returned to Bethle-
hem, where, after mature deliberation, it was thought
beft, that he himfelf fhould return to Machv/ihilufing, as
refident miftionary, and he gladly accepted of this call. On
the road he had the misfortune, in making an hut for his
night's lodging, to wound himfelf very dangeroufly with an
axe, fo that he fainted away, from a lofs of blood. But the
Indian affiftant, Nathanael, who accompanied him, foon
procured an healing plant, known to him, and applied it to the
wound, by which Brother Zeifberger not only recovered
from his fwoon, but to his great aftonifhment, the wound
foon clofed and healed. After fuffering many hardfhips,
they at length arrived fafe in Machwihilufmg, where they
were again kindly received by Papunhank and the whole
town, and Brother Zeifberger rejoiced to find the people
ftill eager to hear the word of God.
Soon after this, fome well-meaning people of a different
perfualioH arrived at Machwihilufmg, having been invited
by other Indians to preach in the neighborhood. Brother
Zeifberger received them kindly, and was willing, that they
flaould fpeak to the people. But the Indians having fum-
juoned a council of all the men, invited thefe new teachers
to
Cio6 PapunhanFs Converfton and Baptifm. V. II*
to be prefent. Papunhank then addreffed them in the name
of the. reft, giving them an account of their former pro-
ceedings, adding, that God had heard their prayers and
fent the Brethren to them ; whofe words made fuch an im-
preffion upon them, that they could not but believe their doc-
trine to be the truth, and therefore defiredno other. Upon this
the teachers exprefled themfelves fatisfied, and wiflied Bro-
ther Zeifberger much fuccefs, juftly obferving, that he had
undertaken a very arduous talk. The miffionary having ufed
no manner of influence in the above decifion of the Indians,
was greatly encouraged to preach faith in Chrift Jefus with
unwearied perfeverance. Many of his hearers came from
Wajomick and other places, fome above loo miles diftant.
Others lent word that they fliould foon come and live there,
that they might alfo be inftrufted in the Gofpel, and it ap-
peared as if the Lord would fet up his ftandard in this place.
Papunhank, a man naturally vain and high in his own con-
ceit, was in a fliort time fo overcome by the divine power
attending the word of the crofs, that he caft all his own
righteoufnefs afidc, bemoaning his wretched life and the total
depravity he found within himfelf, with true contrition.
The extraordinary change wrought in him was remarkably
obvious j he would hardly eat or drink, and at length came
to Brother Zeifberger, confefhng the grofs fins he had been
guilty of in his former life, though a preacher of moralit)'-,
and begged earneftly to be baptized. His requeft was
granted on the 26th of June, At his baptifm, he made a
folemn declaration of his faith before all the people, re-
lating how his almighty Savior had convinced him of his
finfulnefs and depravity. He added, that he had formerly
preached to them, believing himfelf to be a good man; not
knowing, that he was fuch a miferabie creature, yea the
chief of finners amongft them, and now begged them to
forgive and forget every thing he had formerly done ! After
this afFedlng fpeech, Brother Zeifberger baptized this .firft-
ling of the Machwihilufing Indians into the death of Jefus.
This tranfadion was attended v^'ith fo powerful a fenfation
of
Ch. XV. A'fi Indian Warhrcah cut fudde-nly. ' 207
of die prefence of God, that the whole aflembly feerned over-
come with awe and devotion, and the niifiionary was filled
v/ith praife and thankfgiving. He was named John, and
his v/hole demeanor befpoke the regeneration of his heart.
Another Indian, who had formerly been Papunhank's oppo-
nent, v/as baptized after him, and called Peter. This man
feemed at a lofs how to exprefs his joy of heart, and faid,
that now his heart was eafy, and freed from a burden which
but lately appeared infupportable to him.
But in the midft of all this joy, at the power and blefling
of the Gofpel, Brother Zeifberger was unexpeftedly re-
called to Bethlehem, the moft dreadful intelligence having
been received, of hoftilities committed by the Indians near
the great lakes of Canada and on the Ohio, where they
had murdered feveral hundred white people. They had be-
gun to make incurfions into Pennfylvania, and there was
much reafon to fear a repetition of thofe dreadful fcenes ex-
hibited in 1755. The above-mentioned fanatics revived
their doftrlnes, publifliing every-where, that this new war
was a juft punlfhment of God, becaufe the Europeans, like
the Ifraelites of old, had not deftroyed the Canaanites, and
therefore declared that all Indians, without exception, ought
to be put to the fword.
The inhabitants of Nain and Wechquetank were mod
alarmed on this account. The men, who were then hunt-
ing at a great diflance from the fettlements, were recalled
in hafte. Both congregations joined in fending an humble
addrefs to the Governor of Pennfylvania, iu which they
teftified their abhorrence of the cruelties committed by their
countrymen, and begged his , Excellency's protection. He
anfwered, that as long as they fhould keep themfelves out
of the war, he would do every thing in his pov/er to fcreen
them from danger.
•It was then faid, that the Iroquois would notfufrerany
murder to be committed on the eafc fide of the Sufquehannah,
and as the province of Pennfylvania had engaged fome com-
panies of ibldiersj drefled much like Indian warriors, to
defend
2o8 Dangerous Situation of Wechquetahk. V.lh
defend the frontiers, and thefe troops came Into the neigh-
borhood of Nain and Wechquetank, the Indian Brethren
thought themfelves in no great danger of being furprized by
the hoftile Indians. But what then promifed to enfure
their fafety, proved the fource of inexpreffible diftrefs, as the
following narrative will fhow :
Four flrange Indians from the Ohioj pretending to wifli
to hear the Gofpel, vifited Wechquetank, Nain, and Beth-
lehem. They proved afterwards to belong to a band of
murderers, who were meditating an attack upon the coun-
try, but wiflied firft to remove their friends and relations
from Wechquetank. But obferving fo many foldiers in every
part of the country 5 they haftened back with fear and pre-
cipitation* The foldiers then fufpe6led fome dangerous
correfpondence between the Chriftian Indians and the
enemy ; and our people, finding that they had to feai" an at-
tack both from the white people and the favages^ came to a
refolution not to oppofe the former,! but boldly to defend
themfelves againfl the latter. They even confented, by de-
fire of the officers, to wear a certain mark, by whichi the
white people might know them to be peaceful Indians.
All the neighbors attended now to the motions of the In-
dians at Wechquetank ; many calling it their only flafF of
Confolation, and refolving not to fly, as long as the Chriftian
Indians maintained their ground, but frequently repeating
their requeft, that if their flight was refolved upon,- they
might be informed in time to fave themfelves.
In Auguft, Zachary and his wife, who had left the con*
gregation in Wechquetank foine time ago, came on a vifit,
and did all in their power to difquiet the minds of the Bre-
thren, refpedting the intentions of the white people. A
woman, called Zippora, was perfuaded to follow them.
But thefe poor people verified that faying, of our bleffed Sa*
vior : " He that loveth his life^Jlmll lofe it" On their return,
they ftaid at the river Buchkabuchka over-night, where Cap-
tain Wetterhold, lay with a company of foldiers, and went
«nconcerned to fleep in a hay-loft. But in the night they
were
Ch. XV. Dangerous Slttiatlan of Wi'chquetanh. 2op
were furprized by the foldiers; Zippora was thrown down
upon the threfhing-floor, and killed: Zachary efcaped out of
the houfe, but was purfued, and with his wife and little
child put to tlie fwoid, though the mother begged for their
lives upon her knees.
After this event, the foMiers became ilili more fufpicious
of the Indians of Wecliquetiink, naturally fuppofing, that
Zachary's four brothers, living there, would endeavor to
revenge his death, and that all the inhabitants would take
their part. They therefore prohibited the Indians to
hunt, threatening to kill the firft they fhould meet in
the foreft : however Captain Wetterhoid M^as at lad per-
Xuaded to defift from this nieafure, by the firm and . re-
peated remojiftrances of the miiTionary, Brother Grube.
Thus peace was reltored for Ibme time, and the congrega-
tion at Wechquetank was greatly encouraged by the fteady
and intrepid condu6i of their milLcuary. He always comfort-
ed them by admoniihing them to be of one mind, and fled-
faflly to keep to their refolution, not to forfake ea^ch other,
but to hold out together to the lait extremity, and bear the
fatigue of watching by turns. He cared for them as a fa-
ther, and was never weary of fpeaking in their behalf to
the officers of the militia, though fometimes roughly treated.
The moft difficult talk he had, was to pacify a party of Irilh
freebooters, who in great rage declared, that no Indians
fhould dard to fliow themfelves in the woods, or they
iliould be fhot dead immediately, and that if only one white
man more ffiould be murdered in this neighborhood, the
whole Iriffi fettlement would rife in arms and kill all the
inhabitants of Wechquetank, without waiting for an order
from Government, or for a warrant from the juftlce of the
peace.
The fame threatening meflages v/ere fent to Nain, and
though the Indians were under the fpecial proteftion of Go-
vernment, and received legal palfports whenever they tra-
velled, or went out to hunt at a fmall diftance from the
fettlement, it was next to a miracle, that they returned home
Part II. P h^.
210 Dangerous Situation of Wechquetanh. P. li,
fafe. They were frequently difturbed by falfe alarms : but
on the 8th of 06lober, a meflenger arrived at midnight,
with intelligence, that the favages had attacked an Irifh fet-
tlement, eight miles from Bethlehem, and killed a captain,
lieutenant, feveral foldiers, and a Mr. S — —, whofe wife
narrowly efcaped, though fhe was the fole caufe of all this
mifchief, by dropping fome inconfiderate words againft a
company of Indians, who lodged there.
This dreadful event placed the congregations at Nain and
Wechquetank, and their miflionaries, in a critical fituation,
both the favages and the white people being their enemies.
The latter were now fo enraged againfl: all the Indians, that
they thirrted after revenge. Thus lituated, the Brethren
coald do nothing but refign themfelves to God, their Al-
mighty Proteilor, awaiting the fulfilment of his will, and de-
pending upon his help in the time of trouble. In both
places a flri6l watch was kept by night and day. The
Indian Brethren were full of faith and courage : one of
them faid : " Wicked people are as weak as woi^ms in the
*' light of our Savior ; he can and will protect us, and caufe
" fear to come upon them." His words were verified the
very next day, for on the 9th of Oclober, about fifty white
men aflembled on the oppofite fide of the Lecha, with a
view to furprize Nain in the night, and to murder all the
inhabitants. But a neighboring friend reprefenting the
danger and difficulty of fuch an attempt in ftrong terms,
the enemy forfook their intentions and returned home.
This very merciful prefervation excited the Indian congre-
gation to join in praife and thankfgiving to God, and to
adore him for his protection.
The fame day on which Nain was in fuch Imminent dan-
ger, a party of outrageous Irifh freebooters came to Wech-
quetank, fully intending to murder all the Indian Inhabitants,
accufing them of having been accomplices in the murder
committed in their fettlement. Brother Grube 'could hardly
reftrain them, by reprefenting the impoflibility of their hav-
ing been prefent, he and his people being daily in danger
of
Ch. XV. Dangerous Situation of Wechqiietanh. 21 1
of being attacked by the favages, and on that account not
daring to venture out of the place. But when he faw that
the exafperated people would not refrain from revenging
the luurder of their countrymen, by fhedding the blood of
thefe innocent Indians ; he was obliged to endeavor to pa-
cify them by prefents, and by giving them enough to eat
and to drink, brought them at length to reafon. At de-
parting, they -were heard to fay, that if the Indians of
Wechquetank did not foon quit that place, they v/ould re-
turn and execute their barbarous defign. The text of Scrip-
ture appointed for that day was : " God fjall help her, and
*'■ that right earh)^' Pfa. xlvi- 5.; which being particularly
imprefled upon Brother G rube's mind, proved a great con-
folation unto him. In the evening-meeting he delivered a
difcourfe upon it, by which his intimidated congregation was
much ftrengthened, and encouraged never to doubt of the
help of the Lord. During the night, all the men were upon
the watch ; feveral fpies were difcovered lurking about the
fettlement, and a lire at , fome diftance betrayed a neighbor-
ing encampment, fo that a fudden attack was fufpe6led.
This was probably prevented folely by an extraordinary
violent rain, which fell during this dark and gloomy night.
It was now apparent, that it would have been temerity in
the extreme, to poftpone their flight any longer, and the mif-
fionary received an exprefs from Bethlehem, with the moft
prefling folicitatibns, to break up immediately and to retire
with his whole congregation to Nazareth, promifing that
waggons fliould be provided and fent to meet them. When
they were preparing to depart, ten mufket-fhots were heard
near the fettlement, the report of which alarmed the Indians,
who, fuppofing that the favages had attacked the white, peo-
ple, refolved to go out in defence of the latter. Thentif^.
(ionary urged, them not to quit the place, upon which they '
formed a circle to repel any attack. Meanwhile Brother
Grube's wdfe was engaged in comforting the Indian Sifters,
and he exhorted the Brethren to ftand firm, and to expe£t
iieliverance from God, Peter anfwered : '* Very true ; only
P 2 "don't
212 Wechquetaiih forfahen. P. II.
" don't you Hand before me, but go behind, for I will be
" {hot firfl." Suddenly the party from v/hom the attack wzs.
feared, marched off" with the Indian war-whoop, and it was
afterwards difcovered, that they were a party of foldiers,
who wifhed to draw our people into the lield, to fight
them.
The waggons arrived foon after from Nazareth, and the
whole congregation fet out on the i ith of October, not with-
out regret, that they were obliged to quit fo pleafant a fpot
as Wechquetank, with good houfes and large plantations;
efpecially as they were obliged to leave their harveft, and
great part of their cattle behind them. The Brethren kept
a good look-out on both fides of the road through the woods,
efpecially during the night, when they encamped In the
open air; and on the day following the Lord condu£led
them fafe to Nazareth, where they were received with great
joy, welcomed at a love-feaft, and liberally provided with
cloathing and every thing necefiary. Thus the congrega-
tion at Nazareth had likewife the pleafure to entertain an In-
dian congregation, as Bethlehem had done in 1755.
Some days after their arrival, the governor fent for Bro-
ther Grube to Philadelphia, and gave him an opportunity
to fpeak fully with him, concerning the bitter accufations
made againft the Bi-ethren. His Excellency was convinced
of their falfity, and fpoke of the milhon with great kind-
nefs. Upon the miflionary's informing the Indian Brethren
of the good difpofition of the governor towards the,m, they
exprefled their joy and gratitude, in the moft lively terms.
They had now, for feveral weeks together, a time of reft and
peace, and their edifying walk afforded much pleafure to
the congregation at Nazareth.
-- Tn the mean time, the congregation at Nain was block-
aded on all fides. The favages continued to lay wafte the
country with fire and fword, and killed moft of the New
England people living in Wajomick. This increafed the fury
of the white people againft the Indians in general, and the
inhabitants of Nain ventured no longer to go to Bethlekem
on
Ch. XV. Datigefoiis Situnik'ii of Nain. 213
on bufmefs, as the white fugitives, who had reforted thither
from various parts, abufed and aflaulted them. An European
Brother was therefore appointed to carry their meflages.
No Indian ventured to fetch wood, or to look after his cr»!;-
tle, without a white Brother to accompany him, or a pafT-
port in his pocket. Even at home the men were obliged
to keep flridl watch, by day and night, that they might meet
quietly in the chapbl, defend the Sifters in gathering the
crops from the plantations, ai^l fpend the night with their
families in fafety. They agreed, that, in cafe of an attack
from the white people, the Sifters and children fhould
aflemble in the chapel, and the Brethren and boys in
fome houfes appointed for that purpofe : that Brother Jacob
Schmick, then miffionary at Nain, fhould go to meet the
enemy, and endeavor to perfuade them to defift from their
purpofe ; but that if the favages fliould venture an attack, the
Indian Brethren would all join in marching againft them,
firmly believing, that the Lord would affift them to conquer
their enemies.
In this trying fituation they held out patiently for four
weeks, thoug:h much fatigued by watching during the cold
nights. The peace of God and the brotherly love, which
then prevailed in a great degree among them, preferved their
courage and patience.
Their joy was every morning renewed, when, after the
fears of the night, they met together in the chapel, an4
ftrengthened themfelves in fellowlhip, by confidering the
Word of God, and experiencing the confolations of his
Spirit.
Having made fuch good regulations, that the enemy could
not attempt an attack without danger, they began to flatter
themfelves, that Government would fupport them with more
energy, and procure for tliem reft and fafety i!i their own
dwellings. But unexpe6ledly, their affairs took a different
turn. O6lober iptb, an harmlefs Indian, called Renatus, fon
of the venerable aged Jacob, was >jnexpe£ledly feized, as the
murderer of one of the Irifli fettlers, and Ins pevfcu having
P 3 been
214 '^^e Chri/llan Indians remove to Philadelphia. P, IL
been fworn to by the widow, he was conveyed to Philadel-^
phia and imprlfoned.
It may eafjly be conceived, how foon the report cf this
trar.faftion fpread through the country, and how the
fury of the white people rofe againft the Indian congrega-
tion at Nain. They therefore expe£led nothing lefs than a
cruel death. But God inclined the hearts of the chief ma^
giftrates to prote6l them, before it was too late. Novem-
ber 6th, an exprefs arrived from Philadelphia, bringing an
order, that all the baptized Indians from Nain and Wech-
quetank (hould be brought to Philadelphia, and be prote£l-
ed' in that city, having firll delivered up their arms. The
congregation at Bethlehem was exhorted to offer up prayer
and fuppUcation to God, that he would prevent all the per-
nicious effects this meafure might have upon the miflion
among the heathen, and grant grace and ftrength to our In-
dians, to approve themfelves, under thefe circumflances, as
true children of God, and to pofTefs their fouls in patience.
The day following, a meffage was fent to Nain, to acquaint
the Indian congregation with the order of Government. They
were comforted by the text for that day, " What time I am
*' afraidy I will truji in thee" Pfa. Jvi. 3. \ and though all, as
one man, lifted up their voices and wept, yet they exprelTed
themfelves fully refigned to the will of the Lord, and ready
patiently to go whither they vv'ere ordered; but declared that
they v/ould rather die than leave their teachers. Being nf-
furedthat the miflionaries would not forfake them, they pre-
pared for the journey on the 7th of November, the congre-
gation at Bethlehem generoully providing them with fuf-
ficient cloathing, of which they flood greatly in need. As
foon as the (heriff, Mr. Jennings, arrived, the Indian Bre-
thren delivered their guns to him, v/ith a compofure of mind,
which mod flrikingly proved the change wrought in them,
for an heathen Indian would rather part with his head than
with his gun.
In the mean time the Indians of Wecliquetank, then at
Nazareth, were likewife informed of tire above-mentioned
order
Cil. XV. The Chri/llafi Indians remove to Philadelphia. 2 1 5
order of Government, and fliowed the fame obedience. They
fet out on the 8th of November in waggons, vi^ith the beil
wiflies and prayers of that congregation, numberlefs tears
being fhed by the emigrants upon leaving tliis place of reft.
At noon they arrived in Bethlehem, and went dired:ly to the
chapel, where Bifhop Peter Boehler delivered a farewell
difcourfe upon the text for the day, " Mahe thyivay Jlraight
" before my face." Pfa. v. 8. The congregation at Bethlehem
furniflied them alfo with apparel, and with fympathizing
hearts bid them farewell.
On the fame day in the afternoon the congregation at
Nain emigrated. They felt great pain in leaving this place,
where the Lord had fo gracioufiy walked in the midft of
them, and went in filence, weeping, towards the Lecha,
where they were joined by the congregation of Wechque-
tank. Thus the whole Indian flock was again united, and
^entered upon their pilgrimage in the name of the Lord,
the congregation of Bethlehem ftanding fpe£lators, and as
they pafled, commending them to the grace and protedlion
of God with fupplication and tears. It was a moft affeding
fight, to behold thefe beloved people, among whom were
many aged, infirm, and (ick perfons, befides pregnant women,
and young children, proceeding patiently, ignorant of what
might be their fate. They derived great comfort from this,
that their faithful teachers did not forfake them ; the mif-
fionaries Grube and Schmick with their wives, and the fingle
Brethren David Zeiiberger and John Rothe going with them.
Other Brethren accompanied them to Philadelphia, and the
flieriff cared for them as a father. The fick, the aged, and
children were conveyed in waggons, the reft went on foot.
As the rains had made the roads very heavy, many ftaid be-
hind through fatigue, one fell down and diflpcated his arm,
and two loft their companions in the dark. They fuf-
fered moft from the malice of fome white people on the
road, who abufed and loaded them v/ith curfes. In pafl-
ing through Germantown they were infulted by the po-
pulace, who fpoke of nothing but burning, hanging, and
P 4 other
2 1 6 The Chrijlian Indians fent to Pr-ovhice IJland. P. II.
otiier modes of punifhment, to be inflicted on them. A
party of malicious people had even refolved, immediately
upon their arrival; to do them fome mifchief, but the night
and the violent rains prevented it.
November nth, they arrived at the barracks in Philadel-
phia, in vj^hich, by order of Government, they were to be
lodged : but the foldiers quartered there, forcibly rcfufed
them admittance, in fpite of the pofitive command of the
governor. Thus the poor Indians were detained in the
ftreet, from ten o'clock in the forenoon to three in the after-
noon. A dreadful mob gathered around them, deriding,
reviling, and charging them with all the outrages committed
by the favages, threatening to kill them on the fpot ; which
they certainly would have done, had the Indians returned
evil for evil. But they were all (ilent, and afterwards faid
that they had comforted themfelves, by confidering what
infult and mockery our Savior had fuffered on their account.
The miffionaries, who, for their zealous interference apd en-
deavors in behalf of their congregations, were treated with
contempt, declared that they afcribed it to the miraculous
providence of God alone, that they v/ere not facrificed to the
fury of this mifinformed and exafpcrated mob.
After five hours delay, the magiitrates, perceiving that the
foldiers perfiiled in refufinj» to admit the Indians into the
barracks, fent an order, that they fhould proceed. Thus
they pafled along thi'ough this great city, thoufands follow-
ing them with fuch tumultuous clamor, that they might truly
be confidered as fhcep among wolves. They were at length
condu6led fix miles further, to Province Ifland, in the river
Delaware, which joined the main-land by a dam, and there
lodged in fome large buildings. They afterwards acknow-
ledged this circumilance with gratitude, as a gracious pro-
vidence of God, for in the barracks at Philadelphia they
would not have enjoyed reit. The text of the day gave
them great comfort, *' / ivUl teach thee in the way thou foalt
« gor Pfa. xxxii. 8.
Here
Ch. XV". The Ch-'ijlian Indians refide at Province Jfland. 217
Here tKey fettled as well as circumllances would permit;
and the miffionaries affifted in bringing their affairs into fomc
order and i-egularity: they had their ufual meetings every
day, which at that time proved a great comfort to their fouls.
The reft of the time v?as fpent by each family as ufefuljy as
poffible. At firft tliey were in want of lire-wood and provi-
fions, but Brotlier Zeifberger's petition in their behalf was-
kindly attended to by the governor, and by his order they were
afterwards well fupplied with ail things. Several gentlemen
in Philadelphia, efpecially iome of the people called Quakers,
humanely endeavored by benefactions to render the incon-
venience of their (ituation lefs grievous. Though curiofitjr
led many inhabitar.ts of Philadelphia to vifit the • converted-
Indians, yet they enjoyed peace and fafety in this place.,
Wechquetank was burnt by the v/hite people, and in the
night of the i8th of November, fonie incendiaries endeavor-
ed to fet fire to' Bethlehem. The oil-mill was confumed,
and the fury of the flames was fuch, that the adjoining
water-works- were with great difficulty faved from deftruc-.
• tion:
Towards the end of the month, John Papunhank came
with twenty-one Indians to Bethlehem, feeking prcteQion.
They were direfled to Philadelphia, and thence proceeded
to the Indian congregation. Brother Frederick William von,
Marfchall went from Bethlehem to Philadelphia, and de-
voted his fervices to the Lidiaiis, as agent in their tranfacliuns
with Government.
The Brethren felt the greatell gratitude, in feeing the reft
-and protection enjoyed by this perfecuted congregation
duriYig their exile, more efpfeciaily when they heard with
grief and horror, that a party of peaceable Indians, who had
long lived quietly among the white people, v/ere attacked en.
the 14th of Decemiber in the fmali village of Caneftoga near
Lancafler, by hfty-feven fo called Chriftians from Paxton,
and fourteen of them m.urdered in their Imts. The lefl: iledto
Lancafler, where the magiftrates protefted, and lodged them
in the work-houfe, a ilrong builcihig and well fecured. They
were
21 8 The Chrijlian Indians refide at Province IJland. P. II
were however followed by the murderers, who marched into
the town at noon-day, broke into the work-houfe, and though
the Indians begged their lives on their knees, yet thefe
barbarians cruelly murdered them all, throwing their man-
gled bodies into the flreet. They then departed with a dread-
ful fhout of viftory, threatening that the Indians in Pro-
vince Ifland fhould fliare the fame fate.
Government indeed ifTued a proclamation againfl thefe
outrages, forbidding any one to moleft the Indians in Pro-
vince Ifland, under the fevered penalties, and promifing a
reward of 200I. to any who fhould bring the two ring-
leaders of the above party to juflice. But it foon became
evident, that an incredible number of perfons, and even
many of the inhabitants of Philadelphia, were in a fecret
connexion with the ringleaders, and people in general fhow-
ed fo little refpeft for Government at that time, that none
were taken up, though they walked publicly in the ftreets,
and even flood before the governor's houfe, bidding him defi-
ance. As he feared a general mob, he thought it then moft
prudent to take no notice of them. The rioters however
became more numerous and daring, and both in Paxton and
other parts of the county of Lancafter, many hundred perfons
agreed to go to Philadelphia and not to reft, till all the In-
dians, taken into prote6tion by Government, were maf-
facred.
December 29th, intelligence was received in Philadelphia>
that a large party of thefe people v/ere on the road, intend-
ing to fall upon the Chriflian Indians. The governor in-
ilantly fent word to the milTionaries, advifing them to be
upon their guard, and on the 31 ft of December early, when
the danger feemed approaching, fent fome large boats, or-
dering them and their people immediately to go on board
and to take flight. In a fhort time they were all on board,
and rowed to Leek Ifland, where they were to expedl further
orders. Some hours after, the mifiionaries received a letter
from his Excellency, in which he informed them, that it had
been altogether a falfe alarm, that they therefore fhould
return.
Ch. XV. The Chrijlian Indians fent to the Englijh Army, 1 1 9
return to Province Ifiand, where they Iliould foon receive, a
proper guard, and might keep the boats for their ufe. They
immediately returned with joy to their former habitations,
comforted by the text for the day : " The Lord is viyjlrengtb
** a7id my fincld ; my heart triijled in him :' (Pfa. xxviii. 7.)
and clofed this remarkable year with prayer and thankfgiv-
ing, for ail the proofs of the help of God in fo many heavy
trials.
CHAPTER XVI.
1764. 1765.
The Chrijlian Indians are ordered to go io the
Englijh Army^ hut coimfcr?nanded, and lodged i?z
the Barracks at Philadelphia. Dijlrejs during
their Conjinement : yet not without BleJJing. Re-
natiis is releajed Jrcm Prijon. Peace concluded.
The Indian Congregation leaves the Barracks, Trou-
hlejome Journey to Machivihilufing on the Sujqiie-
hannah.
THE Indian congregation had fcai'cely celebrated the
Lord's Supper at the commencement of the year 1764,
and renewed their covenant to fhow forth His death in
their walk and converfation, when the troubles broke out
afrefli.
Government having received more certain information,
concerning the murderous intentions of the rioters, refolved
to bring the perfecuted congregation into fafety, and to fend
them by way of New York to the Englifli army, and par-
ticularly to recommend them to Sir William Johnfon, agent
for
220 The Chrijl'ian Indians fent to the E/igll/Ij Army. P, IL
for the Crown among the Northern Indians. January 4tli,
late in the evening, the rniffionaries received orders to prepare
for this journey, without lofs of time, and at midnight they
fet out, proceeding by water to a place about, five miles
from Philadelphia, where they found Mr. Lewis and Jacob
We ifs ready to conduft them. They pafled early and almoft
iinobfcrved through Philadelpliia to the houfe of the Bre-
thren, where a number of Bredn-en and Sifters met to receive
them, having provided a breakfaft for them in the meeting-hall.
Here they were vifited by the commiflaryj Mr. Fox, who was
appointed by Government to direct their future journey. Xhis
gentleman was fo flruck at the fight of thefe poor emigrants,
that he immediately ordered a number of blankets to be dif-
Iributed among them ; that they might defend themfelves
better againft the fevere cold. Waggons being pi'ovided
for the aged, the blind, the fick, the cliiidren, and the heavy
baggage, they fet out, accompanied by the miflionaries, amidfk
fo great a crowd of people, that they could liaroly proceed.
The mob curfed and reviled them in a dreadful manner, but
no one ventured to lay hands on them. Several Brethren
accompanied them a little way out of town, and fome miles
further they M^ere met by Captain Robertfon with feventy
Highlanders, who had been in the laft engagement with the
Indians, and were ordered to efcort them. Thefe foldiers
behaved at firft very wild and unfriendly, being particularly
troublefome to the young women by their profane conver-
fation, but were perfuaded by degrees to conduct them-
felves with m.ore order and decency. The commiflaries
MelTrs. Fox and Logan went with them as far as Trenton,
where the latter addreffed them in the name of the gover-
nor, declaring the governor's abhorrence of the murders
committed in Canefloga and Lancafter upon the innocent
Indians, and delivering two belts of wampom, defiring that
they might be fent to the Iroquois. By the firft, they were
exhorted to make peace, having begun the v/ar without caufe j
to the fecondj fome pieces of black cloth and handkerchiefs
were added, for the friends of the poor murdered Indians,
to
Ch. XVI. Return of the Chnfilan Itid'wJU to Philadelphia. 32 1
to " cover the graves of their relations, and to wipe away their
" tears," with this aiVurance, that Government would feverely
punifh the murderers.
Mr. Logan having delivered this fpeech, the Indians took
. leave of both gentlemen, exprefling their humble thanks to
them and the governor, for the many favors they had re-
ceived during thefe troubles. In Trenton, the commiiTary
Mr. Epty took charge of tliem, and provided every thing need-
ful for their convenience on the road.
In all places, but efpecially in the towns through which
their road lay, the mob infulted the Indians ; but God pre-
vented mifchief, and led them fafe to Amboy, where two
floops were ready to carry diem to New York. They were
juft ready to go on board on the i ith of January 1764, when
a meflenger unexpe6ledly arrived from the governor of Nev/
York, with dviB: orders, that not one Indian fliould fet
foot in New York territory. Captain Robertfoa \^s or-
dered by General Gage to prevent them from proceeding ;
and the ferrymen were likewife prohibited, by a fevere pe-
nalty, to crofs the river v.'ith them. Mr. Epty immediately
fent an account of thefe proceedings to Philadelphia, defiring
further orders.
In the mean time the travelling congregation lay in the
barracks at Amboy, where they were vifited by the Brethren
Nathaniel Seidel from Bethlehem, and Gambold from New
York. They held their daily meetings in the ufual order,
and in the peace of God, great numbers of people being
prefent, at whofc requefl, the miffionary Grube preached in
the open air. The white people, who thus attended the
tneetings of the Indians, Were highly pleafed v/ith their
devotion, efpecially with their finging, and conceived a more
favorable opinion of them. One of the foldiers exclaimed :
** Would to God, all the white people were as good Chrif-
" tians, as thefe Indians."
According to orders fent by the governor at Philadelphia,,
the Indian congregation fet out witli chearfulnefs on their
.;:eturn, in full conndeiice that th.e Lord in his good provi-
dence.
222 Reftdence of the Chrijian Indians P. tl.
dence, fof wife purpofes, bed known to himfelf, had or-
dained their travelling thus to and fro. This belief fup-
ported them under all the difficulties they met with in their
journies, made in the fevereft part of winter. Their
guard of Highlanders Under Captain Robertfoil was now re-
lieved by one hundred and feventy men from General
Gage's army, commanded by Captain Schlofler, one party
leading the van, and the other bringing up the rear. Thefe
foldiers had juft come from Niagara, and had fuffered much
from the favages near Lake Erie, which rendered them In
the beginning fo averfe to the Indians, that nothing favor-
able could be expe6led from them j but God in mercy
changed their difpofition, their unfriendly behavior foon
foftened into cordiality, and they converfed familiarly with
the Indian Brethren, relating their fufferings in the war v/ith
the favages.
The daily meetings were held without moleftation, and
attended by great numbers of white people, who heard them
with aftonifliment and edification. Near Brunfwick they
were In great danger In paffing over the ice, and the in-
iirm and aged were obliged to creep over the frozen rivers
upon their hands and feet. However, the journey was per-
formed with fafety. January 24th, they arrlA^ed In Phila-
delphia, where they were lodged In the barracks. They
firft met to render thanks to God for the bleffing and fup-
port, experienced from him during this fmgular peregrina-
tion, and efpeclally, that he had preferved their fouls from
harm, in converfing with the foldiers, fome of w^hom were
in'confiderate and wild. In the barracks of Philadelphia,
they were guarded by day and night, regulated their
meetings and houfekeeping, and hoped to have found reft
and fafety. But foon after their arrival they were fo dlf-
turbed by the mob, efpecially by the young people, that
the firft guard granted to them, was not fufficient for their
proteftion. The ringleaders of the above-mentioned mur-
derers endeavored by force to put their wicked defigns into
execution. They marched In large bodies towards Philadel-
phia,
Ch. XVI. in the Barracks at Philadtlphia,- 223
phia, giving out, that having been highly ofFended by the
proclamation, lately iflued by the governor, they now vi^ould
not reft, till all the Indians ptotected by Government, were
delivered over to them.
This occafioned the guard at the barracks to be doubled,
and the magiftrates were at length obliged to repel force by
force. February 3d, eight heavy pieces of cannon were
drawn up before the barracks, and a rampart thi'own up in
the middle of the fquare. The citizens, and even many
young Quakers, took up arms, and repaired to the barracks to
aihft the foldiers in defending the poor Indians, who had in
the mean time been brought in great hafte out of the
lower into the upper ftory. At midnight, the governor
himfelf vilited them, bidding them be of good chear,
and foothing their fears by his condefcending behavior. Se-
veral perfons of diftin£lion likewife came, and fhowed their
friendly difpofition towards the Indians : fome even ftaid in
the barracks, fuppofing they could be no where more fafe.
February 4th, intelligence was received of the approach
of the rioters; every body prepared to receive them, and
the whole town was in an uproar. The report of guns was
heard, and the foldiers made a dreadful noife. The eighteen
pounders were difcharged, and our poor Indians, having
never heard the report of fuch large cannon, were exceffively
terrified; for they ftood fo near the building, that feveral
window's were broken by the Ihock. The rebels however
did not venture to approach, and the citizens returned home.
But in the night between the 5th and 6th a report prevailed,
that the rioters were again on the road, and the whole town
was in motion. The church bells were rung, the ftreetr.
illuminated, and the inhabitants, being waked out of their
lleep, were ordered to attend at the town-houfe, where arms
and cartridges were diftributed among them. Two compa-
nies of armed citizens repaired to the barracks, and four
more cannon were mounted, Thus the following day was
fpent in terror and hourly expesflation of the rebels : the white
Brethren at Philadelphia were alfo expofed to much abufe
and
2 24 Rifulence of the Qbrijtlan Indians P. II.
and flander from mifinformed people, who afcribed all thefe
difturbances to them and their Indian converts. The In-
dians, who were i-epeatedly told by their friends, that the
rebels tiiirfted after their blood, confuiered themfelves as
devoted to llaughter, and though they were very thankful for
the fpirited preparations made by Government for their
defence, yet placed their only hope in the Lord. Some
faid with compofure and refignation : *' God can help us, if
" he pleafes-, but if it be his will, we will willingly fuffer."
Some examined themfelves, and finding they had not fuf-
ficent faith to go chearfully out of time, turned in tlieir
diflrefs to the Lord Jefus, who made thefe trials a blefilng to
tliem. The miffionaries rejoiced greatly, that thefe afflictions
manifeftly proved that their converfion was iiot the work of
man, but of God himfelf.
At length certain information was received that the rioters,
hearing of the preparations made to receive them, had re-
folved to proceed no fui'ther. Some gentlemen were deputed
.by Government to aflc them what they had to complain of.
'After much infclent behavior, they aflerted, that there were fe-
veral murderers among our Indians, whom th-v.y had feen at
Pittiburg, and demanded that they fliould be delivered up.
To pacify them, one of the ringleaders was invited to enter
tlie barracks, and to point out the people fpoken of. Ac-
cordingly he examined every individual, but did not find one,
whom he could charge with any crime. They then gave out,
that the Quakers had fccretly taken fix of our Indians cut of
the barracks and Iiid them in a place of fafety. This was alfo
inveftigated and proved falfe, upon v/hich the rioters marched
off, and, as they declared, relinquiflied their defign for the
prefent. Yet it was very evident, that their plan was firft
to murder our Indians, and then, by taking advantage of
the general couRernation, to overturn the whole form of
govetTiment, and thus to fpreard devaftation and mifery over
the whole couniry.
The Chriftian Indians In the barracks now offered up
praifes and thankfgiving to God, tjut he hud fo gracioufty
I defeated
Ch. XVI. in the Barrach at Philadelphia* 52 j
defeated the defigns of their enemies. The miflionaries
reminded them of the beautiful \vords of Scripture ap-*
pointed for thefe days of anxiety and danger. The firft was:
" Let the righteous be glad, yea exceedingly rejoice.'^ PC Ixviii. 3.
** Lofd, it is nothing with thee to he/p, ivhether -with many, or
" with them that have no power y 2 Chron. xiv* 1 1. And for
the day when the rioters departed : " Hitherto hath the Lord
" helped us^ I Sam. vii. 12.
People of all ranks came to fee the Indians, who were
now literally become a fpedtacle tothoufands. Their opinions
concerning them were various. Some could not conceal
their animofity both againft them and the Brethren; many
pitied them, as innocent fufferers, and congratulated them
on their efcape ; others, not being able to comprehend
how the mlflionaries could continue with them under fuch
afflidling circumftances, exprefled great reverence for their
patience and love towards their congregation, and knew
not how to fhow fufficient honor to thefe faithful minifters
of the Lord. The public worfhip of the congregation, efpe-
cially on Sundays, was attended by fuch crowds of hearers,
that the chapel could not contain them ; yet the greateft
filence and order was preferved. Some .were pleafed with
the finging of the Indians, others heard the Gofpel atten-
tively, and believed in the word of the crofs. Several fol-
diers who had been a long time in camp, were glad to hear the
fweet words of the Gofpel again, after having been deprived
of it for fix or feven years. The Indians alfo, who came
with John Papunhank from Machwihilufing, and feveral
Indians from the Jerfeys, who had applied to Government for
protection and were quartered in the barracks, had here a
good opportunity of hearing the Gofpel, and to moft of
them the word of the crofs proved the power of God unto
falvation.
About this time four fingle Indian women, who had lived
feveral years in the houfe of the fingle Sifters at Bethlehem,
but were no more fafe In that place, were alfo fent to the
barracks, and all who faw them admired their fcrcne, modeft
Part IL C^ appearance.
t%6 RefidetiCe of the- Chrijlan Indians P. II.
appearan(fe, and prudent conduct:. The foldicrs refpe£l-
ed theiBj and never difturbed them in their apartment.
In general the latter deferve that good teftimony, that they
always treated our Indians with kindnefs ; and the friendly
a^d wife condudt of the officers, who kept Itridl; order among
their men, cannot be fufficiently praifed.
Another attempt to fend the Chrillian Indians to the army
having failed, and it appearing that their removal from the
barracks could not be foon eiFe£ted, the miffionary Grube
commenced an Englifh fchool with the Indian youth, who
took great delight in learning-, and all the Indian families
began to fettle for a long Itay. The miffionaries met the
congregation morning and evening, and at flated times ad-
min iflercd the Holy Communion. They alfo baptized fe-
veral, who had heard and believed the Gofpel, and the
grace of God was powerful in the congregation. As to
externals. Government provided every thing needful for
their eafe and fupport. The continual vifits of ftrangers,
though lometimes attended with inconvenience, convinced
many who were ill-difpofed, both of their innocence and
true cr^iverlion unto the Lord.
However, their prefent fituation was a hard trial, and more
afflicting to fome of them, than ail paft dangers. Though it
was rendered as eafy as poiTible, they confidered it little fhort
of imprifonment. The good quality of their viftuals, to
which they were not feafoned, was as ill fuited to the (late of
their flomachs, as the want of bodily exercife and proper
employment to that of their minds. Their living fo clofe
together began by degrees to appear iufupportable ; the men
could not go into the foreft to hunt, which being againft
their very nature, a fpirit of independence and liberty began
to arife in them, efpecially in the young people ; fome of
the latter grew low-fplrited, others diflatisfied, and even
vefra£lory. Many fufFered throvgh their converfation with
the ftrange Indians quartered in the fame barracks. Thus
the mifllonaries found their talk very difficult, being obliged
Vq heiir U.U the complaints of the diflatisfied ; Government
alfo
CIi. XVI. in the Barracks at Philadelphia. 227
aifo juflly looking to them for that good order and fubordi-
nation, neceflary for the common peace.
Early in March, our Indians fent John Fapunhank and
another Indian Brother as meffengers of peace to the v/ar-
ring Indians, to inform them tljut they were all alive, and to
defire them to lay down the hatchet. Encouraged by the reply
they received, they addreffed Government, and begged
earneftly, that they might be fafely efcorted to the frontiers,
from whence they would iind their way to General Johnfon.
As the war with the Indians flill continued. Government
could not grant this requeft. By this refufal, their uneafmefs
increafed. Nor was this all. As the fummer advanced,
fevers and the fmall-pox broke out amongll them, which
occafioned fuch dread and horror, that many meditated their
efcape from the barracks.
In this diftrefs God blelTed the perfeverance of the mif-
fionaries, whofe friendly and encouraging admonitions at
length prevailed. Their uneafmefs was changed into a per-
fect refignation to the will of the Lord. It was now a plea-
fant duty to vifit the fick, and their declarations, teflifying
of iheir living faith in Jefus Chrifl, and full affurance of
eternal life, proved an edification to many ftrange vifitors.
The humane relief afforded to them by that benevolent
man, Jacob Weifs in Philadelphia, was fuch, that God
alone can reward him for liis great attention and labors of
love.
Fifty-fix of thefe patients had the favor to be releafed
from al! mifery, pain, and diftrefs, by a molt happy tranfia-
tion into everlafting blifs. The miflionaries exprefs them-
felves thus in their report : " We cannot defcribe the joy
'* and fervent defire which moft of them {howed In the
*' profpeft of feeing their Savior face to face: and we faw
*' with amazement the power of the blood of Jefus in the
" hearts of poor finners." Jacob, an aged Indian and fa-
ther of Renatus, then unjuftly imprifoned, deferves to
be noticed. He was one of the firft fruits, baptized in
Oky in 1742. His w^ik was fteadyj he was re'pedted by
Qj2 all
228 Kefideuce of the Chr'ijlmn Indians P. It.-
all as a father in Chrill ; and his condu£l was always ferene
and chearful. The imprifonment of his fon greatly affected
his mind. He knew his innocence, and was under much
concern', left he fliould begin to waver in his faith and to
doubt of the fidelity and juft judgment of God our Savior,
and perhaps even fuifer himfelf to be feduced by wicked people
to drown his diftrefs by drinking. The father therefore fel-
dom left him in pvifon; till the Lord took him to himfelf by
means of the fmall-pox. The Brethren in Philadelphia
intended to bury his remains in their burying-ground, but
feme evil-minded perfons filled up the grave in the night;
in confequence of which the corpfe was interred in the
public burying-ground, the millionary Schmick performing
the fervice, according to the Brethren's Liturgy. The
other Indian Brethren and Sifters, who died of the fmall-
pox, were buried in the Potter's Field, a burying-ground be-
longing to the people called Quakers. A week after the
death of Jacob, his daughter-in-law, and foon after, her
infant fon, followed him into eternity. Poor Renatus, upon
hearing thefe tidings, wept moft bitterly* " Tliis," faid he,
•* is almoft too much to bear j to lofe my father, my wife
" and child, while I myfelf am confined in prifon !"
In due time, the Lord had mercy upon this affli£led man,
and gracioufiy delivered him from his bonds. The miflion-
aries vifited him frequently, and he fpent moft of his time
in' reading an hymn-book, which was left in his cell. After
an imprifonment of eight months and many examinations, oc-
cafioned by repeated accufations brought againft him upon
oath, that he v/as the perfon who murdered Mr. S. in the Iriih
fettlement, he was at laft fent jvith a guard from Philadelphia
to' Eafton, to take his trial. The witnefles having been fum-
moned, the rniflionary Schmick attended on his part, accom-
panied by Brother Rothe. The trial took place on the 19th
of June, and the jury having been (liut up a whole night, at
length brought in their verdi£l, Not Guilty ; upon which he
was immediately difmiffed. The word of Scripture for that
day was: " God meant it unto goody to brijig it to pafsj as it is this
■ « dayy
Oh. XVI. if! the Barracks at Philadelphia. 229
*'■ day^ to fave much people alive " Gen. 1. 20. This was verified.
By the above verdi£l the adverfaries entirely loft their aim,
which was to caft a general odium upon the believing Indians,
and to render the Brethren's miflion univerfally fufpe£led.
The Brethren therefore praifed God for this decifion, and the
court at Eafton gained much credit in the opinion of the
Indians.
July 4th, our Indians had the fatisfadlion to fee their be-
loved Renatus return, and join them in the barracks. Hav-
ing often bemoaned his fate, they could not fufficiently ex-
prefs their thankfulnefs to God for his deliverance. He fpoke
out of the abundance of his heart, praifing and giving glory
to the Lord his Redeemer.
In autumn, the confined Indians made another effort to
procure their enlargement, and Government granted pafTports
to fome of the moft fteady, with leave to go to the Sufquehan-
nah : but could not with prudence extend this permiflion
to all. This occafioned a return of the former uneafinefs
in the minds of fome young people, which greatly diftreiTed
the miflionaries, who at this time labored under various
bodily complaints. However, according to their own report,
they forgot every hardfhip, as often as they contemplated
the unwearied faithfulnefs and fufferings of the Lord Jefus
on our account.
In the mean time the neg-^tiations were continued, and the
Iroquois being reconciled, they compelled the otlier Indian
nations to lay down their arms.
December the 4th, 1764, was the happy day, on which an
account of the peace arrived in Philadelphia, and on the 6th, a
proclamation was publiflied by Government in all the public
papers, that hoftilities fhould ceafe. Our Indians were foon
informed of the conclufion of the war, and their joy on this
occafion, which exceeded all defcription, was manifefted in
thankfgivings and praifes to the Lord, to whom all power is
given, both in heaven and on earth.
Soon after, thofe Indian Brethren, who had been on the
Sufquehannah, returned with a circumftantial dstail of the
Q3 miferies
230 Refidence of the Chrifliaft Indlatis P. II.
mlferies endured by the Indians during the war, on account
of their refufing to take fhare in it. Jofhua faid, *' We
" thought ourfeh'es great fufFerers here in the barracks, but
" our fufFerings bear no comparifon to thofe of the Indians
" in the woods, and we now acknowledge, that the Lord mer-
** cifully directed our affairs, as our teachers have often told
" us."
The congregation at Pachgatgoch, whofe fituation was
very diftreffrng in the year 1762, was flill more opprefTed
during the war, and at length fo much difperfed, that no-
thing remained, but the hopes, that they might unite again
in time of peace.
The troubles of v/ar being nearly at an end, the Brethren
in Bethlehem ferioufly confidered, in what manner to pro-
vide afettlement for the believing Indians; where they might
enjoy more fafety. It could not be expeded, that they would
remain long unmolefted in the neighborhood of the white
people; they were therefore advifed to fettle in the Indian
country on the banks of the Sufquehannah. They refolved
to go iirft to Machwihilufing, which had been deferted in the
late war, and where the old huts were ftill (landing. The mif-
fionaries andlndian affiftants therefore applied to Government:
the latter defired General Johnfon, to aflift them in putting
this defign into execution. To their inexpreiTible jc^y, they
obtained leave to depart on the %6t\\ of February, and in
the following days, preparations were made, Government
fupplying them liberally with neceflaries. Mr. Fox even pro-
cured a grant, by which our Indians were to be provided
with flour, from their arrival on the Sufquehannah, until
their new-planted Indian corn fhould be ripe, and an order
was iflued, for them to receive it from Fort Allen, lately
built upon the fcite of Old Gnadenhuetten. This arrange-
ment proved a great convenience to them.
In the mean tinie the miffionary Grube, wholafl year went
to Bethlehem on account of illnefs, returned to Philadel-
phia to take leave of his beloved congregation in the bar-
racks» He brought a formal vocation to the mifuonaries
^ Schmick
Ch. XVI. in the Barrach at Philadelphia. 23 1
Schmkk and Zeifberger, to move with the Indian congrega-
tion to the Sufquehannah, which they gladly accepted, Go-
vernment alfo approving of their appointment. March 1 8th,
the Indian Brethren dehvered the following addrefs to the go-
vernor :
" We, the Chriftian Indians now refiduig In the barracks,
** and intending to return with our wives and children unto
" our own country, approach unto you, to take our leave,
*' and to return to you our mofl fincere thanks. We ac-
** knowledge with unfeigned gratitude the great kindnefs and
*' friendfhip you have fhown unto us during the late war.
*' We were indeed in danger of our lives; but you protected
*' and defended us againft our enemies, fo that we have lived
" in peace. As a father, you have provided us with food
" and raiment. You have nurfed us in ficknefs and burled
" our dead. We have likewife heard with joy, that you
" win in future give us flour until our corn is ripe. We
** thank you more particularly that we have been allowed
*• to have our teachers with us, during thefe heavy trials,
" who have inftrufted us daily in the word of God. They
" have {h(3wn us the way to falvation, fo that we are now
** become acquainted with our Creator, and can love all men.
" We therefore greatly rejoice, that our teachers Schmick
** and Zelfberger go with us into the Indian country, that
" they may continue to inftrud- us in the do£lrine of falva-
" tion. Your kindnefs, proteftlon, and benevolence, will
" never be forgotten by us. We fhall bear your goodnefs in
" our hearts ; we fliall fpeak of it to the other Indians. As
*' long as we live, we fliall remain true friends to the Eng-
" lifh. We alfo beg permiflion to requefl of you, to give us
" powder and fliot, that we may provide food on the journey.
« Finally we pray, that God may blefs you ! We, the un-
" derwritten, do this in the name of- all our people, re-
*' plaining your faithful friends,
" John Papunhank; Joshua;
Anthony; Shem Evans.'*
This
23 2 jfourney of the Irdian Congregation P. II.
This addrefs v/as gracioufly received; and the mifTionarics
added their grate^al thanks both to the governor and to
Mr. Fox, who as commlflary for Government had cared for
the Indians, from beginning to end, with unwearied attention.
The latter replied with tears, " I have willingly done what
*' I could, knowing their innocence." Jofhua went likewife
to Mr. Fox, to thank him in the name of all the Indian Bre-
thren and Sifters, and was well received. March 20th, the
text of the day being, " Jbraham rofe up early in the monnng^
** and toent iinio the place^ of which God had told him.^'' the
Indian congregation fet off from the barracks of Philadelphia
with great joy, attended by fome friends from the city, who
wilhed them the Lord's blelTmg. Their departure was very
peaceful, and they unanimoufly rendered praifes to God our
heavenly Father, for all the love, grace, prefervation, and
fupport experienced during their refidence of fixteen months
at this place. After a troublefome but fafe journey, the tra-
vellers arrived at Nain, where they were welcomed by the
Bethlehem congregation with great tendernefs, and refted
for fome time in this place, fo much valued by the former
inhabitants, the daily meetings being held in the ufual order,
to their great comfort.
Every thing being fettled for their journey, and feveral of
them having fold their houfes at Nain to the Brethren at Beth-
lehem, Bifhop Nathanael Seidel, with part of the Bethlehem
congregation, v/ent to Nain, to attend a folemn farewell meet-
ing of the Indians. The miflionary Grube delivered the dif-
courfe, recommending this beloved flock in a fervent prayer
to the faithful Shepherd, who gave his life for his (beep,
and thus clofed his blelTed labors among thefe people, in
which he had fhown an extraordinary degree of faithfulnefs
for the fpace of thirteen years.
April 3d, the v/hole congregation broke up and proceeded
on their journey, paHing through Bethlehem, to take leave
of their former faithful neighbors, fo clofely united to them
in the bonds of brotherly love. At parting, many tears were
(bed on both fides. Government had appointed the follow-
ing
Ch. XVI. t9 Machiuih'iltifmg. 233
ing gentlemen to condu£l them to the frontiers: Mr. Moore,
judice of the peace, Mr. Kuhlin, high-{herifF, Lieutenant
Hundfecker, and Mr. Epty, whofe names 1 here infert with
gratitude for their kindnefs and attention to our Indians.
Some Brethren from Bethlehem accompanied them likewife
part of the way.
Waggons were provided for the children, the fick, and
infirm, and for the heavy baggage : but they had a very
difficult journey; for though peace was re-eftabli(hed, yet
the enmity of many white people againft the Indians was
dill fo great, that, to avoid danger, they were obliged to
take a long circuit. They alio met with ftormy weather at-
tended with fnow, and were obliged to take up their nights*
lodgings chiefly in the woods, every family building an hut and
keeping up fires all night. Sometimes they were obliged
to ftay all night in a fwamp, not finding any dry ground
near them. Hunting was their cliief fupport. They carried
the loads, which were not put in the waggons, over high, fteep,
and rocky hills, in fmall parcels, being thus often obliged feve-
ral times to double the road. In fame parts they cut their
way for fome miles, through the woods and once even for
five miles together. The Brethren waded through manybrooks
and rivers: and for the women and children they made
rafts, but the flrong current often carried away the trfees they
had cut down for this purpcfe, before they could be fixed to-
gether, and they once loft twenty-five in this mannei*.
Some rivers were fo broad and deep, that they were obliged
to encamp on their banks, till they had built canoes fuffi-
cient to crofs them. The greateft difficulty they met with,
was the want of provifions, whenever they paflcd through
regions where there was neither game nor filli. Thofe,
who had fomething in ftore, were always willing to dlftrl-
bute. At laft their whole ftock of flour was confumcd, and
it was an affecting fight to fee them receive their laft portion.
They were frequently happy to find wild potatoes, the dlf-
agrceable flavor of which hunger alone could render palatable.
To fatisfy the children vV'ho cried for hunger, they peeled
chefnut
434 Arrival at Machwihilufing, P. II.
chefnut trees, and made them fuck the fweet juice under the
barki and even the grown people were obliged to do the
lame. They had frequently no other drink, but muddy water
found in puddles. Some died during this journey. Once
they were greatly terrified in the night, by the woods being
on fire, and burning fiercely all round their encampment
from ten till one in the morning. At length they arrived at
the Sufcjuehannah, and got a few boats from Lechawachneck
to proceed up the river. Some went forward by land to
Machwihilufing, and procured more boats; but yet, for want
of a fufficient number, many were obliged to proceed along
the banks of the river, and were much fatigued by the flony
roads over the hills. But all thefe trials were forgotten in
their daily meetings, in which tlie prefence of the Lord
was moft fenfibly and comfortably felt. Thefe were always
held in the evening, around a large fire, in the open air.
Thus they fpent the Paffion Week, in bleffed contempla-
tion of the meritorious fufferings of Jefus, and celebrated
Eafter in joyful commemora,tion of his refurre£tion, calling
to mind their fellowfhip with the fifty-fix Indian Brethren,
who departed to the Lord in Philadelphia, looking forward
with joy to the time, when they alfo fhould arrive in that
place, where vi^e fhall fee Jefus face to face, and praife him
in perfect happiuefs. His prefence fupported them under
all affli£i;ions, infomuch that they never loft their chearful-
nefs and refignation, and when at laft they arrived fafe
at Machwihilufing on the pth of May, after a journey of
five weeks, they forgot all their pain and trouble, for joy that
they had reached the place of their future abode.
Thus ended the painful pilgrimage of the Indian congre-
gation, which commenced with their flight from Wechque-
tank and Nain in 1763 ; and all with one accord declared, that
unlefs God himfelf had fpread his wings over- them, they
never (hould have lived to fee that day„ To Him be all the
glory 1
END OF PART XL
HISTORY
OF THE
MISSION
OF THE
UNITED BRETHREN
AMONG THE
Indians in North America,
PART III.
CHAPTER I.
1765, 1766.
The agreeable Bcgimiing ofFriedenshiietten on iheSufque-
hannah.. Ze'ijbergcr'' s 'Journey to Cajugu and Ononda-
go. The Indian Conp-egation has reft and is edified.
AS a mariner rejoices, v/ho after a long and fevere ftorm
has reached his de/ired haven, fo likewife did the
Indian congregation and her faithful teachers rejoice,. They
now forgot all their former diftrefs, and with offers of
praife and thankfgiving, devoted themfelves anew to Him
who had given them reft for the folcs of their feet. They
began their labors with renewed courage, and pitching upon
a convenient fpot on the banks of the Sufquchannah, built a
regular fettlement, which they called Friedenshuetten (Tents
of Peace). It confifled of thirteen Indian huts and upwards
cf forty houfes, built of wood in the European manner,
Part IIL B covered
2 Building of Friedenshuetten on the Sufquehannah. P. Ill,
(Covered with fhingles, and provided with windows and chim-
nies. A fmall, but convenient houfc was erefted for the
miflionaries, and in the middle of the ftreet, which was up-
wards of eighty feet broad, flood the chapel, neatly built,
and covered with Ihingles. Next to the houfes the ground
was laid out in gardens, and between the fettlement and
the river, about 250 acres were divided into regular planta-
tions of Indian corn. Each family had their own boat.
The burying-ground was fituated at fome diftance, at the
back of the buildings.
During the building of Friedenshuetten, the aged, infirm,
and children, were lodged in the old cottages found on the
fpot. The reft .dwelt in bark huts, and met for divine wor-
ftiip in the open field, whenever the weather was dry. In
rainy weather, the Brethren and Sifters aflembled in fmall
companies, in their huts, to fing and praife the Lord for his
mercies. His prefence and peace, and the brotherly love
and concord which univerfally prevailed, greatly ftrength-
ened them. It was a pleafure to fee how judicioufly they
planned and executed the work of each day. They appeared
like a fwarm of bufy bees : each knew his proper talk, and
performed it readily. Some were employed in building
houfes; others in clearing the land; fome in hunting and
fiftiing, to provide for thofe at work ; others cared for the
houfekeeping. The miflionaries were not idle, but made
their own gardens and plantations.
The ftock of bread bought by jour Indians of their
neighbors being foon con fumed, a party of forty Brethren
fet out for Fort Allen, to fetch part of the corn given them
by the government of Pennfylvania. But when they had
got half way, they were obliged to return, hearing that the
white people in the Irifli fettlement were again exafperated
againft them ; two men having been murdered there, and the
Ghriflian Indians being accufed of the deed ; though it was
impoflible, that they could have had the leaft {hare in it.
Herbs and roots therefore fqpplied the place of bread, till
Intelligence i^as brought, that Sir William Johnfon had fet-
■•■ ' "^ '^ ' " ■ tied
Ch. J. Account of Friedenshuetten. 3
tied a general peace with all the Indian nations, in the name of
the king of England. This encouraged the Brethren to
fet out again. Accordingly almoft all the men went to
Fort Allen, and foon returned with their corn ; praying
for bleflings on the Englifli government for its liberality to-
wards them. They had received enough to ferve them till
their own corn was ripe, and God granted fo rich an harveft,
that they had not even room enough for their ftore.
The building of Friedenshuetten being fo far completed,
that the proper regulations and ftatutes of a Chriftian fet-
tlement could be renewed and eftabiiOied, a meeting was
held for this purpofe, to the fatisfadtion of allj and the-
fame regulations made as formerly in Gnadenhuetten, Nain,
and "Wechquetank. As to the internal ftate of the congre-
gation, it appeared that our Lord Jefus Chrift had granted a
double portion of his grace to his beloved Indian flock, and
would now lay a fpecial bleffing upon them. The fenfations
of his divine prefence attending the preaching of the Gof-
pel, the adminiftering of the facraments, and all the meet-
ings of the congregation, prevailed fo powerfully, that the
miflionaries found frequent caufe to exclaim in raptures of
joy, " Behold how he loveth them ! (John, xi, 3/^.) and de-
" lighteth to dwell among the children of men."'
Odober 20th, 1765, the facrament of Holy Baptifm was
admin iftered for the firft time in Friedenshuetten to the wife
of the Indian Sakima. Her declarations on this occafion, gave
great pleafure to the miflionaries. She faid, " 1 feel very
•' happy after my baptifm, but have not yet enough. I now
** long more than ever for our Savior." Her hufband was
prefent during her baptifm, but could fcarcely bear to (lay,
for emotion, and immediately went into the woods to give
vent to his tears. Upon his return, he faluted his wife, and
burfting into tears, faid, " O ! how do I rejoice that you
" are cleanfed in the blood of Chrift. Ah ! when fhall I
" have that favor V* Before the clofe of the year, this grace
was alfo imparted to him. He was baptized on Chriftmas
Day, and fuch a general emotion was perceptible during his
baptifm.
4 Account of Friedenshuetten, P. III.
baptlfm, that the whole company wept together with the
miflionary and catechumen; thus, \yithout words, exprefling
the joy and gratitude of their hearts, in feeing how gra-
cioufly Jefus receives fmners. Many unbaptized were fo
powerfully awakened, that they ardently defired the fame
favor. One of them obferved : " If I ihould fee the water
" for baptifm brought into the chapel and hear the miflionary
"fay, "Whoever wifties to be baptized, come hither, I fhould
" not hefitate a moment to accept of fo great an offer."
John Papunhank, the firft Indian baptized at Machwihi-
lufing, was alfo the firft who was here made a partaker of
the Lord's Supper, and it became every day more evident,
that God himfelf had truly converted him. His large
acquaintance, and efpecially the fame of Friedenshuetten,
drew a great number of vifitors from all parts, and the mif-
fionaries, wiio in Auguft received Brother Rothe as an affifl-
ant from Bethlehem, had here the defirable opportunity
of extolling the grace of Jefus before great numbers of hea-
then. Many believed the glad tidings, turned to the Lord,
and received joy and peace in the Holy Ghoft. Some who
did not immediately comprehend the words of the rninion-
aries, entreated the Indian afliftants to repeat the difcoutfe.
The affiftants moft readily complied with their requeft, and
were anew enlivened, by the repetition of the precious words
of the Gofpel, the truth and power of which they had
experienced. Among the vifitors were tnany Indians, be-
longing to the Cajugu, one of the Six Nations, or Iroquois.
Thefe feemed better prepared to receive the kingdom of
God, more unreferved, and Icfs entangled with political
affairs than the other Iroquois. It was obferved with plea-
fure, that Brother Zeifberger, by repeatedly refiding at
Onondago, had brought the Brethren and their caufe into great
efteem among the Iroquois. Once during his abfence from
Friedenshuetten, the milTionary Schmick alked fome of the
Cajugu Indians, whether they knew Zeifberger? As foon
as they heard his name, they exprefTed much joy, and
phclng two fingers together, faid : " We are one: are you
« alfo
Ch. I. ^ranfaSlions ijo'ith the Chief of Caj:'gu» 5
'* alfo one with him ?" Schmick anfwered, " We are bre-
" thren." They then aiked, " Are you one of the Bre-
" thren of Bethlehem ?" Anfwer : " Yes, they are all my
'' brethren." — " Well," faid they, " you muft come to us,
" and build your houfe in our town." They then went to
the chapel, faw and heard what they never before had
been witnefs to, and were powerfully ftruck with the gofpel
of Jefus Chrift our Savior.
Befide the ftated times for the daily fervice of the congre-
gation, the miffionaries were often called upon to preach the
word of falvation •, for the vifitors came into their dwellings,
begging to hear more of thofe fweet and comfortable words,
and it feemed as if they could never be fatisfied with hearing,
fo that frequently the miffionaries hadfcarce time to eat or reft.
A reputed forcerer, in the neighborhood of Friedenshuet-
ten, not venturing to enter the chapel, flood before the win-
dow to hear the fermon. When it was over, he faid to an
Indian Brother, " I am indeed a very wicked man, and
*' know, that I have committed many fins; yea, I am fo
*' loaded with them, that they weigh me down; but if I
*' knew, that Jefus would accept of, and help me, I would
" neverthelefs go to him and pray him to fave me."
The Indians wifhing to live here in peace and fafety, foon
after their arrival fent a meflenger with a ftring of wampom
to the Chief of Cajugu, who as plenipotentiary of the Iro-
quois, claimed the lordfiiip over all the lands on the Sufque-
hannah, to inform him and his people, that the governor
of Pennfylvania had defended them againft the rage of the
white people, and fully provided them with food for a whole
year: that with his approbation they had fettled on the
Sufquehannah, and pitched on a fpot of ground, upon
which they intended to build, and with their families to live
in peace, if their uncle approved of it. They likewife
defired leave for their teachers to live with them, who would
tell them the great words of their God and Creator, as they
had done for many years; adding, that they loved them,
their children, and all the Indians, inftruding them in the
Part III. C way
6 1'ranfacliofU ii>tth the Chief of Cajiigu. P. IIL
way to falvation; and that, without their affiftance, the
believing Indians could not be happy. ' The Chief of
Cajugu having received this meflage in due form, tranfmitted
it to the great council in Onondago, and as foon as he re-
ceived an anfwer, invited fome deputies from Friedens-
huetten to Cajugu, whom he welcomed in the name of
the Iroquois, comforting them in the ufual manner about
the lofs of their friends in Philadelphia, and informing them
that peace was now re-eftabiiihed. But the anfwer he gave
to the requefh of the Indians was unexpefted \ viz. : " that
" the place they had chofen for a fettlement was not proper,
*' becaufe all that country had been ftained with blood, there-
" fore he would take them up and place them in a better
" fituation, near the upper end of the Cajugu Lake. They
*' might take their teachers with them, and as to their doc-
*' trines, believe and hold what they pleafed, and be unmo-
" lefted in their daily worfliip." This propofal to remove
to the Cajugu Lake might have been well meant, yet our
Indians did not approve of it, on account of the want of
deer and other game, without which they could not fubfift.
They therefore poflponed giving an immediate anfwer, and
the deputies only gave the Cajugu Chief hopes, that they
would reply, when the Indian corn was ripe. He therefore
fent the following meffage to Friedenshuetten in the fpring
of 1766 : " That he did not ki:ow, what fort of Indian corn
" they might plant, for they had promifed him an anfwer,
*' when it was ripe : that his Indian corn had been gathered
*' long ago, and was almoft confumed, and he foon in^
*' tended to plant again ; they ought therefore to keep their
" promife." As it was evident that our Indians preferred
living in Friedenshuetten, four deputies were chofen, with
whom Brother Zeifberger went in April to Cajugu. They
arrived there on the 30th, and took up their lodging with the
Chief, M^ho knew Brother Zeifberger from his former flay
at Onondago. H'e received them kindly, but did not feem
pleafed with their melTage, and fpoke rather contemptuoufly
ef the labor of the Brethren among his people-, adding^
■ - that
Ch. I. TranfaBbus with the Chief of Cajugu. 7
that he hsd feen many Indians baptized by the French in Ca-
nada, but never found the ]eaft difrerence between them and
the unbaptized. This made the deputies ahnoil airaid to
propofe their meffage in council ; but Brother Zeifberger
encouraged them, by aiTuring them, that God was prefent
alfo in this council, and would direct every thing according
to His good pleafure.
Of this they were fully convinced, for their meiTage had
the defired efFe£):. It was as follows : " That having for-
" merly been ignorant of God, they had now been taught
" to know him as their Creator and Redeemer, and had re-
'* ceivcd from him life and falvation, loving Him above every
" thing, becaufe He loved them fb much. They therefore
*' could and would no more live after the manner of the In-
'• dians, but having found their joy and pleafure in our Sa-
" vior, they had quitted all fmful ways, and now endeavored
" to walk conformably to the word of God, which they, on
" that account, mud hear often, and therefore met twice
" a-day to be inrtru£led by their teachers : they alfo
" endeavored to preferve their children from evil : they
*< would not go to war ; but keep peace with all men, and
" therefore not meddle v/ith the Indian llate-aitairs ; they
" could confequently not agree to live near an Indian town,
" and as Friedenshuetten was well fituated, and they had
*' built and planted, they defired to remain there." As the
Cajugus and the deputies did not perfectly underftand each
other's language, and the interpreter of the council found
it difhcult accurately to tranllate the meffage, the council
defired the milllonary, who fpqke both the Cajugu and the
Delaware language, to interpret, which he readily did, and
then added the following in the name of the white Brethren:
" Brother, you have heard the requeil made by your cou-
" fm : you fee that their caufe is good, and you love what is
" juft. You have received them into your arms, which they
" confider as a great favor fliown to them. I and my bre-
« thren are thankful for it ; pray now extend your iove to-
«' wards them, and grant their requeft, that my brethren
C 2 ''in
8 TranfaSiioUs ivith the Chief of Cajugti. P. IIL
*' In Bethlehem may rejoice with me. You have land enough,
" therefore give a fmall piece to your coufins who believe
" in God, that they may live among you in refl and peace."
This and the former fpeech had fuch an efFe£l upon the
council, that not only their requeft was granted, but the
council gave them a larger tra£l: of land, than they had
defired, extending beyond Tiaogu ; telHng them, to make
ufe of it as their own, and promifing that the heathen Indians
llioLild not come and dwell upon it. They were allowed
to have their teachers, and exhorted to be obedient to them,
and finally a refolution was taken, which among the Indians
can never be too frequently repeated, on account of many
lies being carried to and fro, that neither party fliould be-
lieve any evil report, without due examination.
The deputies were almoft befide themfelves for joy at this
unexpe£led fuccefs •, and when the refult of the negotiation
was mentioned to the congregation, the joy was fo general,
that feveral exclaimed, " This is the Lord's doing, and a
*' fure proof of his great love towai-ds us !"
Thefe rejoicings were foon diflurbed by an Iroquois In-
dian, from Zeninge, who gave the Indians of Friedenshuetten
a circumftantial account of a great council held by the Iro-
quois in T'.^tiHnge, at which he pretended to-have been pre-
fcnt, and in which the Chief of Cajugu was reprimanded for
having given land to the Indians of Friedenshuetten without
their confent; becaufe he well knew that the faid lands had
been given to other Indians, who had fled from them during
tliewar; but would return to feek their former dwellings,
und then become troublefome to the believers : that tlie
Cajugu Chief had faid in apology, that he only did it from
motives of pitVs not being willing to refufe the petition of
the deputies ; and the time had been too fhort to communi-
< ate with the great council concerning the bufinefs.
As the Brethren believed that the Chief in Cajugu had
granted their requefl, with full ccmfent of the council, and
yet the account given by the Indian from Zeninge bcie tl e
appearance of trwth, and bad confequences mi^ht follovr,
Lvother
Ch. I. Zei/lerger and Senfeman vi/it Gnondago. p
Brother Zeifberger went to Bethlehem for advice, '^he af-
fair appeared to the Brethren of fuch moment, that they
defired him to go to Onondago, to learn the truth, and to
renew his covenant of friendftiip with the Iroquois. Th3
miffionar)^ undertook thisjourney with Brother Gottlob Senfe-
man from Bethlehem, and about the middle of OcSlober 1766
they fet out from Friedenshuetten for Gnondago, with an
Indian Brother.
In Zeninge they attempted to fpeak to the inhabitants, of
our Lord and Savior Jefus Chrift, but found no ears to hear.
The Chief obferved, that though they heard no fermons
and knew not God, yet they were the beft Indians, and no
one could allege any thing againfl them. Hov/ever, the
Brethren, to their great moleftation, found the contrary ; for
that very day the whole village was drunk to fuch a degree,
that they committed the moll fliameful excelTes.
After enduring many hardfhips, both by land and water,
they arrived, Oilober 26th, at Onondago, where they were
well received, and lodged in the fame houfe, in which Bro-
ther Zeilherger had formerly refided. At their requeft the
council alTembled the very next day, and the EngliOi flag
was difplayed upon the council-houfe, in honor of the mif.
fionaries. Brother Zeifberger's addrefs w;is heard with great
attention. He fpoke of the labor of the Brethren among
the heathen, their views in preaching the Gofpel, of the
pvefent fhate of the Indian congregations, but chiefly of
their late rranfacStions with the Chief of Cajugu ; finally re-
quefting the council of the Iroquois explicitly to declare,
whether what was fettled between them and the Cajugu
Chief, had been done with the knowledge and approbation
of the council, or whether the Cajugu Chief had a£led for
himfelf alone. The Chiefs inquired minutely concerning
the eflablifliment and conllitution of Friedenshuetten, ex-
preffing great regard for Brother Zeiiherger, whom they
confidered as belonging to the Iroquois. The latter in return
affured them of his affe<Slion and regard, but ftill more
of the great love of their Creator and Redeemer towards
C 3 them
ro Zel/beyger and Ssnfeman v\fit Qnondago. P. III.
them and all men. According to their cuftom they referred
his meiTage to a future deliberation, promiiing an anfwer.
The Brethren made ufe of this interval to go to Cajugu. On
the road they met with a dangerous paffage over the outlet of
a large lake, which was remarkably deep, croTmg it upon two
ilender trees, wdiich bent fo much under them, that they were
up to their knees in water.
In Cajugu they had a friendly converfation with the above-
mentioned Chief, and learnt that the alarming account given
by the Indian from Zeninge, was altogether falfe. They
likewife refuted many falfe accufatione made by enemies of the
Brethren, to his entire fatisfaftion, and then returned with-
out delay to Onondago. Here they received the following
anfv/er of the council, v/ith all the formality and ceremonies
ufual on fuch occafions*, viz. : " That the Cajugu Chief was
" without doubt their plenipotentiary, and the guardian of
" all the lands on the Sufqueb.annah ; and that all he had
"fettled with the deputies from Friedenshuetten had the
*' full approbation of the great council : that they were well
" plcafed v/ith the fettlement of the believing Indians in Frie-
" denshuetten, where the great council had now * a council
" fire' committed to the care of the believing Indians^ and
" which they (liould confider as a matter of the greatefl im-
" portance : that th.ey much approved of the whitr Brethren
" dwelling as teachers am.ong the Indians on the Sufquehan-
*' nah, to inftrudt them, which the Delawares ftood particu-
*' larly iii need of, it having appeared in the late war, that
" they were peculiarly given to evil ways, and that the great
^' council wifhed the conllltution and churchrfervice to re-
" m.ain the fame at Friedenshuetten, as hitherto." The con-
clufion of the fpeech ran thus : "• When your Indians, our
*•' coufins, have any thing to treat of with us, they ihall have
*^ full liberty, to come ftraight to us, and fettle their affairs
** without the interference -of any other Chief, who may not
*''be of the fame mind with them."
By this deliberate declaration of the council of the Iro-
quois, the Brethren received for the firft tjme legal pcrmif-^
fion
Ch. L Account of Frudenshuetten. 1 1
■fion to preach the Gofpel in thofe countries poiTcfled by the
Indians. The great council itfelf feemcd to have no inclin-
ation at prefent to receive the Gofpeh One cf the council
told Brother Zeifberger, that lately a niinifcer from New
England came and offered to live among and preach to them ;
but they had refufed, faying; *' that as foon as they chofe
"it, they would let him know: for the prefent, he might
" return to his own home." This anecdote v/as purpofely
mentioned as an hint, that the Brethren fhould not attempt
•to carry the Gofpel too far into the country belonging to the
Iroquois. The miffionaries, Zeifberger and Senfeman, re^
turned thanks to the Lord, for thefuccefs of their negoti-
ations, and the account, given on their return to the qon-
gregation at Friedenshuetten, occafioncd univerfal fatisfac-
tion and gratitude.
In the year 1766 the inward and outward ftate of this
fettlement was truly bleffed, and an extraordinary number of
Indian vifitors came from all parts. Thefe were not only
ftruck with the exterior regular appearance of the place, de-
claring, that it was the mofl beautiful and regular Indian
town they had ever feen, but they paid great attention to
the Gofpel, and its power in their hearts was often remark-
ably evident. Frequent! y the whole affembly was fo moved,
and the weeping of the congregation fo general and loud,
that the milTionaries were obliged to flop and give vent to
their own tears. Some, who heard the Gofpei for the firft
time, feemed fuddenly roufed from the fleep of fin, and hav-
ing mourned over their tranfgreifions and found pardon and
peace with Jefus, began, by faith in Him, truly to tafte the
fweetnefs of the doctrines of the Gofpel. This v/as gene-
rally followed by a defire to dwell with the believers An
Indian, for inftance, having with liis wife fpent the PafTion-
week and Eafter in Friedenshuetten, and fpeaking together of
what they had heard of our Savior and his love to mankind :
the woman faid, " I never before heard any thing like this;
" what I then felt I cannot exprefs ; but my heart was moft
'** tenderly moved." Her hufband afked her, " What would
C 4 " you
12 Account of Friedenshuetten. P. Ill,
^* you now wifli to do ? I would willingly know it." She
anfwered, ** I am glad that you alk me, 1 have only waited
" for this; my wifli is, to love and believe in our Savior;
" but I fhould find it difficult without you. I cannot live
** here alone ; nor can I part with you." He faid, " I will
" not hinder you ; for if I did, and you fhould be loft, I
** fhould bring your guilt upon myfelf, and I have, alas ! fins
" enough of my own, God forbid I fliould do this ! We
*' will rather both beg leave to live here, that we may hear
" daily of our Savior, learn to love him, and become happy
" people." They then came to the miffionaries, related
their converfation, and obtained leave to live in Friedens-
huetten. Her fifter exprefTed her fenfatlons during the read-
ing of the hiftory of our Lord's fufFerings, to the following
efte^l : " My heart tells me, that my fins have occafioned
** the torments, diflrefs, wounds, and death of our Savior.
" When I heard that he had fufFered all this to redeem me,
" a child of hell, from Satan, fin, and eternal death, and
** to grant unto me everlafting life, I fek, that I ought to
*'■ love and believe on Him, in order to obtain falvaticn,
'* for otherwife I fhould be loft." Another faid, " I am
" often terrified when I confider, that 1 have heard the Gof-
" pel fo long, and have not yet attained to faving faith."
On thefe occafions the Indian afliftants were all alive, and in
their element. Nothing gave them more joy, than when
the converfation of their vifitors afforded an opportunity to
teftify of the truth : the affiftant Jofeph, for inftance, was
one day fpeaking with the wife of the Delaware Chief,
Newallike, concerning the love of our Savior to poor finners,
which he had truly experienced. She anfwered; "All that
*' may be true, but I cannot be forgivven, for I have finned
" grievoufly againft God." Jofeph replied : ^' You may ne-
" verthelefs find forgivenefs with our Savior. I formerly
" thought as you do, but found It otherwife. Our Savior has
" forgiven me many and great fins. He Is even now the fame
" gracious Savior, and has died for your finsalfo; fhedding
•* his blood upon the crofs. As foon as you truly believe
" this,
Ch. I. Account of Frledenshuetten. Ij
"this, you will tafte his love, and be alTured, that he will
*' forgive all your fins." Another vifitof, who had already
received the ufual belt of wampom in token of his being
ele^ed captain, returned it of his own accord, and made
the following fincere declaration to the affiilants : ** I am
" concerned for my falvation : my fins, which are many, lie
"heavy upon me; fometimes I defpaired of all help ; but
" when I heard that our Savior receives the worft of finners,
*• it encouraged me to hope, that even I might be faved. I then
** prayed to our Savior : * Have mercy upon me, and let me
*' feel, that there is grace, even for fuch a wretch as me.' He
*' heard me, and I faw him as crucified for me 5 I was con-
'* vinced that I have wounded him with my fins, and this
'' made me weep. I then faid, * Dear Savior ! I defire to
** be healed and faved by thy wounds, and to be waftied from
" all my fins in thy blood. I often thought and felt, that,
" to be truly converted, I fhould bid farewell to the world;
*' and therefore returned the belt of wampom. I do not
"defire any fuch honor among the Indians; if I may onljr
** obtain mercy, receive the forgivenefs of my fins, become
*' a child of God and live happy among his people j then I
*' have all my heart can wifli for."
An heathen Indian had alked the afliftant Abraham a great
many queftions, but none relating to the Itate of his foul:
at length Abraham faid : *' I am furprifed to fee you fo defir-
** ous to know every thing, and yet not to hear you alk
" one queftlon. Do you know your Creator ? This is
" the one thing needful I Study to know Him, and you
*' will find out many things, of which, as yet, you knovsr
*' nothing."
Many of thofe who, during the troubles of the war, had.
grayed from the congregation, returned again and were gladly
received, efpecially when they were fo hungry and thirftyafter
the Lord Jefus and his grace, as one of them declared him-
felf to be, in the following manner: " I am like one plunged
*^ into water, and every moment expelling to be drowned-
f' Nothing can fave me, unlefs our Savior, and his people*
" pardon
T4 Atcount of Fiiedenshuetten. P. III.
"pardon my paft deviations." Among thcfcj v/ho earneftly
defired baptifra, was a young Nantikok. He laid : " I have
** experieneed fomething remarkable in my mind to-day;
"I hare a great defire to be faved, but, alas! feel myfelf
•' a flave of fin and Satan, and it is as if he kept me faft
** bound, unwilling to quit me, though I ftrive to get from
*' him J for I am refolved to become the property of our Sa-
** vior." Upon another occafion he burft into a flood of
tears, and faid: " Brethren, have mercy upon me ; I am the
" mofl wi-etched creature upon earth j ever fince yeilerday
** morning I have felt nothing but forrow, anxiety, and per-
'* plexity. I can find no place, Where I can bear my exiftence.
** This whole afternoon I have lain like a dead man ; I have
" no flrength, and am quite exhauiled. Have m.ercy upon
**me; O that 'I were baptized and waflied from my fins in
" the blood of our Savior -, that alone can help and give mc
« reft.'*
But as he could not dwell at Friedenshuetten, unlefs he
were baptized, the miiTionaries could not come to a fpeedy
determination, en account of a ftrange cuftom peculiar to
the Nantikok tribe (as mentioned in the Firft Part of this
"Work), viz.: that when a Nantikok dies, the relations come,
«ig up the corpfe, M^herever it is buried-, cut oft the flefli, and
carry away the bones. It was however at laft impolTible any
longer to refufe the earned petition of this Indian, and he
became the firil fruits of the Nantikok tribe; Brother
Zeifberger baptizing him by the name of Samuel.
The great change, obvious in all thofe, who believed in
Jefus and were baptized, was fo aftonifhing to the heathen
vlfitors, that many were obliged to confefs, that the words
of tlie Brethren muft be true, for otherwife it would be
impofRble that the mere belief of them, fliould make them
willing and able to deny the world and every ungodly luft,
and at the fame time to be fo ferene and chearful in their
countenances and behavior.
However pleafing and defirable It might be, to behold
fuch undeniable proofs of the power of the Gofpel, yet it
5 frequently
Ch. I. Account of Frledenshiseiien. 1 5
frequently occaGoned long vifits, and as fome people of fufpl-
cious characlers prolonged their abode at Friedenshuet-
ten, the miffionaries fearing fome painful confequences,
and efpecially that the young people might be feduced by
them, refolved to make fome permanent regulations in
regard to vifitors. To this end they chofe fome of th6
oldeft and moft refpefted members of the congregation,
to whom they gave a comm.iffion, to meet and fpeak with all
ftrange Indians, efpecially with thofe, who wiflied to be-
come inhabitants of Friedenshuetten, to examine into their
views, and to declare to them with kindnefs and firmnefs,
that all who were not truly defirous to turn unto their Crea-
tor and Redeemer, fhould pofitively not dwell in the place,
nor even flay in it for any confiderable time. Tliis was done
accordingly, and the faithfulnefs, prudence, and undaunt-
ednefs, with which thefe men executed their commiiTioii,
was very edifying. They had no refpecl of perfons, nor did
they fpare their own kindred, more than firangers. The
good effects of their zeal v/ere foon vifible, and feveral dan-
gerous people quitted the place, and among them a Nanti-
kok phyfician, who had murdered feveral of his own nation
by his vile practices, and, as it appeared, ftill retained the
fame malicious in'.entions.
Another perplexity arofe from the rum trade, which the
heathen Indians made frequent attempts to introduce into
Friedenshuetten. An order was therefore found neceffary,
that tiie firangers' fervants ftiould examine thefe people im-
mediately upon their arrival, to know whether they intended
to (lay all night, in which cafe their rum was immediately
fecured, and not delivered to them till the following morning,
when they proceeded on their journey. Whoever refufed
to comply with this order, was defired to leave the fettle-
ment without delay. Thefe regulations were ftridly at-
tended to.
The v,'hite traders gave the mod trouble to the fettlement.
They were not contented with trading in Friedenshuetten, but
iieven endeavored to make it a place of common refort. In
1765
l5 Account of Friedenshuctteju P. Ill,
1766 a large company of them came from Paxton, with an
intent to gain a footing here, (laid feveral weeks in the place
at different times, and occafioned much levity and dilhpa-
tion among the young people. The miffionaries themfelves
could not interfere, left they fliould appear to ufurp fome
kind of jurlfdi£lion over the Indians. They therefore left the
whole management of this affair to the Indian affiftants, to
whom the police was committed, and who at length were
fo much grieved at the diforders occafioned by thefe difagree-
able guefts, that they refolved to oppofe it with firmnefs.
They met accordingly, defired an interview with the Pax-
ton people, and Anthony declared to them, in the name of
Jiis brethren, that for the future they would not fufifer Frie-
<lenshuetten to be made a rendezvous of traders, nor fhould
ihey be permitted to have their fbore-houfe upon this land,
nor to ftay above two or three days in the fettlcment. The
traders were enraged at this declaration ; but the Indians
remaining firm, they were obliged to quit the place. Thefe
meafures were the more zealoully taken, becaufe the Iroquois
had already fent feveral ferious remonftrances, defiring that
Friedenshuetten might not be made a place of trafHc,
In this year a folemn embafiy arrived in Friedenshuetten,
fent by the Delawares in Gofchgofchuenk on the Ohio, the
Delamattenoos and Gachpas, for thcrnfelves and thirteen
other nations. They proceeded by way of Zeninge to Ononf
nago, and thence home again. Their view M'as to eftablidi
a general peace among all the Indian nations. They there-
fore invited all" to lay hold of the chain of friendlliip/' and
declared all thofe who refufedto do it, to be enemies. Our
Indians agreed to it of courfe, giving them a ftring of wam-
pom in token and confirmation of their defire to promote and
{hare in the general peace.
Sometimes meiTages were fent to acquaint them with the
dlftrefs and famine prevailing among different nations,
who recommended themfelves to their generofjty ; other de-
puties announced the arrival of large companies, paffmg
through on their travels, defiring victuals and lodging; an4
the
Ch. I. Account of Friedetishuetten. 1 f
the great willlngnefs of the Chriftian Indians to affift and ferve
their fellow men to the utmoft of their power, was foon fpread
abroad throughout the country.
Their generofity was frequently followed by want, which
they chearfuly bore, as true children of God, not tormented
by the cares of this life, but content with little, relying upon
the daily bread given them by their heavenly Father, who
does not forget even the meaneft of his creatures. Upon
fuch ah occafion a poor woman faid : " I have been thinking
" how poor I am; I have nothing of my own ; and where
" {hall I get enough for myfelf and my child ? This made
" me uneafy, and immediately I prayed thus to our Savior:
" * Forgive my care and anxiety about outward matters.
" Thou thyfelf haft been very poor in this world, and haft
" even not had as much of thine own, as I have.' This
" thought comforted me, and my heart was fatisfied."
Befides the want occafioned by the extraordinary number
of vifitors, the locufts did very great mlfchief to the fields
and plantations. The mllBonaries mention their fwarms to
have amounted to millions In number.
The chief means by which the Indians provided a liveli-
hood for themfelves and their families, was by hunting bears,
elks, and deer, and catching beavers, foxes, and racoons.
But as the Brethren were on that account neceffitated to go
into parts above a day's journey diftant from the fettlement,
the milTionaries always advifed them, not to choofe fuch
hunting places, where an unneceflary intercourfe with the
favage Indians might lead them aftray ; feveral lamentable
Inftances of fedu£lIon having made this caution neceflary.
Another article of food was maple fugar, which is defcribed
in the Firft Part of this work. The congregation council
agreed, that thofe employed in this bufinefs (hould keep
together as much as poilible, as well to be able to affift each
other in the work, as to meet fometimes in prayer. Some
who would not follow this advice, were expofed to danger,
and were then left without affiflance. One of the women
having feparated herfelf from the reft, fixed her hut near
the
1 8 Account of Fr'iedetishuetten. P. IIL
the banks of a river, which unexpecftedly overflowing in the
night, inundated the whole country to fuch a degree, that
ihe and her daughter were obliged to take refuge upon the
roof, and were almoil ftarved before the waters fubfided.
CHAPTER 11.
1767, 1768.
Accounts from Friedenshueiten. Brother Danjid Zeif-
berger's Journey to Gofchgofchuenk on the Ohio.
Apprehenfions of an Indian War. Hofiilities fortu-
nately prevented. Brother Zeijberger s fecond Jour-
ney to Gofchgofchuenk with a view to efiahlifh a
MiJJion. He fnds Entrance in the Beginning, and
afterwards violent Oppofition.
FRIEDENSHUETTEN increafed fo fall, and the num-
bers who attended conftantly to hear the Gofpel v^ere
fo great, that on January 2d, 1767, they began to build
a more fpacious church, which being completed by the
J 8th of February, was confecrated in the name of God,
to whom the whole fettlement and miflion was commended
anew, with fervent prayer, that he v/ould blefs the preaching of
the word, and prevent every evil, which might injure His
caufe in this place.
The ftrange Indians, who confbantly attended, were of va-
rious tribes and nations, chiefly Mohawks, Cajugu, Sen-
nekas, Tutelas, Delawares, Mahikans, Wampanofe, Nan-
tikoks, and Tufcaroras. Many were driven by the famine
then prevailing, to take refuge in Friedenshuetten ; others
preferred the road through Friedenshuetten in their way
%() .diiFerent parts of the Indian country, wifhing to fee a
place
Ch. II. Account of Friedenshuetten. 19
place fo renowned for its hofpitality. Thu? at one time
feventy-five Tufcaroras from Carolina, and at another fifty-
ifKtr^ Nantikoks from Maryland came, driven by hunger,
and ftaid there fome weeks. This proved an opportunity
for them to hear the word of God, and feveral were on this
occafion fo far awakened, that they thanked God for the fa-
mine they had fufFered, without which they never fliould
have gone to Friedenshuetten, nor heard the Gofpel of fai-
vation. This confideration made our Indians always will-
ing to feed the hungry, and even to connive at the impofi-
tions of fome, who abufing their genevofity, ate up their
provifions, leading an idle and profligate life, without ever
attending to the word of God.
In the mean time enemies were not wanting, in different
parts, who were more p?.nicularly enraged at the miffion-
aries, believing that they c>Ione occafioned the Chriftian
Indians to feparate themfeives from the reil:, forming as it
were a detached tribe, who would not enter into the cus-
toms peculiar to the Indians, and even endeavoring to make
more profelytes. The Nantikoks of Zeninge were more
particularly exafperated, and threatened to kill Brother
Schmick, becaufe he had, according to their expreiTion,
fo many Indians in his arms, holding them fail:, and endea^
voring to grafp more, and thus to rob them of their friends.
ITie fcripture text for the day, on which he received this
threatening melTage, greatly comforted him : " The Lord'js
*' ;;?)> helper y and I ivill not fear ivhat tiiati fJjali do unto me^''
Heb. xiii. 6.
About Whitfuntide the fmall-pox broke out In Friedens-
huetten ; the fame mode of proceeding was therefore adopted
as during the tim^e that the meafles raged in Bethlehem.
All the patients were immediately conveyed over the river
into fome houfes fitted up for that purpofe, and properly at-
tended. The nurfes afterwards could not fufficiently thank
and praife the Lord, for all the proofs of his mercy and
gtace fhown unto them and their patients ; for his,,prefence in
the midft of them, and for the great confolatlon aiForded
unto
20 David 7,eifberger*s Journey to Gofchgofchiienk. P. III.
unto them in meditating upon his precious words in their
daily meetings.
In autumn 1767, the miffionary David Zeifberger made
a journey to the Ohio, hearing that fome Indians in that
part of the country, were defirous to hear the Gofpel. He
fet out from Friedenshuetten on the 30th of September, in
company with Anthony and John Papunhank, two Indian
affiftants, the whole congregation uniting in prayer for his
prefervation on this dangerous journey. They pafled through
Tiaogu, a part of the Delaware, and a part of the Sen-
neka country. His intention was to vifit Gofchgofchuenk,
tliough he received every-where a very unfavourable ac-
count of the inhabitants. He was however neither in-
timidated by thefe reports, nor by the great hardships he
fufFered on the road, a detail of which would hardly be
believed by a ftranger to that country. They had fre-
quently to crofs over plains many miles in length, overgrown
with fuch high grafs, that a man on horfeback was com-
pletely covered by it; and when either dew or rain had
fallen, our travellers were wet through. 06lober 6th, they
reached a forfaken Indian town. Brother Zeifberger ob-
ferved with pleafure the firfl: grove of fiiver-fir he had ever
feen in North America, at one of the fources of the river
Ohio. His Indian companions had never feen thefe trees
before. The further they penetrated, the more horrid the
wildernefs appeared, and it coft them immenfe labor to
work their way through the thicket. Having thus proceeded
four days through a country of fo dreadful and uncouth an
appearance, that the miffionary was at a lofs to find words to
defcribe it, they met at length the firft time with an hut in
the midft of the foreft, in which they took up their night's
lodging, having hitherto fpent the nights in the open air,
wrapped up in blankets, and fufFering great inconvenience
from the continual rains.
Upon their arrival at the firft Senneka town, the appear-
ance of a white man was fo uncommon a fight to the inha-
bitants, th^t one of them immediately fet out on horfeback,
to
Ch. II. David Zeijherger^s yotiVHeyioGofchgofchuenh. 2i
to announce this to the Chj^f of the next town, near thirty
miles ofE Brother Zeifberger therefore expelled an unufual
reception, and indeed upon his arrival he was met and ac-
cofted by the Chief in a very rough manner. His mild beha*
vlor however had fo much influence upon the Chief's mind,
that he condutled him to his own houfe and Invited him to
eat. After dinner a converfation of near two hours took
place, in which the Chief expreffed his aftonifliment at the
mi{rionary*s undertaking fo confiderable a journey, which
no white perfon had ever done before, and defired him fully
to explain his views. Brother Zeifberger feized this fa-
vorable opportunity to declare the Gofpel unto him. The
Chief then with great warmth afTerted that this word of
God was not intended for the Indians. Among other re-
marks, he made the following : " If this be true, that the
*' Creator of heaven and earth came into the world, became
** a man, and fuffered fo much, I affure you, that the In-
" dians are not in fault, but the white people alone. To
*' them God has given the Bible : but as for the Indians,
" they are a different creation. To them he has given the
" beafts of the forefh for food, and their employ is to hunt
** them. They know nothing of the Bible, nor can they
** learn its contents : thefe are much too diflicult for Indians
** to comprehend." The rriilBonary anfwered this and other
fimilar objedtions with fuch energy, that he was at length
fatisfied, became very friendly, and confefledj that he had
at firft taken Brother Zeifberger for a fpy^ fent by the
white people, and that this was the caufe of his firft rough
addrefs. But being now convinced of the fincerlty of his
views, he would not prevent his proceeding to Gofchgof-
chuenk, but would only give him a ferlous caution, not to
truft the inhabitants of that place, who had not their equals iii
wickednefs and thirft for blood. Brother Zeilberger an"
fwered : " That if they were really fo wicked a people as de-
" fcribed, then they ftood fo much the more in need of tlie
" Gofpel of their Redeemer, but that at all events, he did
*' not fear them, as they could not injure him in the Icaft,
Part IIL D ' " svlthout
2 2 The Gofpd preached at Cjofchgofchuenh. P. Ill,
" without the permiffion of that God, whom he ferved." After
this 'he reached with his companions another town of the
Senneka Indians, jufl as they were celebrating a great feaft.
Here he was obliged to ftay and partake of two fumptuous
meals, left they fliould imagine, that he defpifed the Indians.
He found no opportunity of preaching the Gofpel, but
prayed the more fervently to the Lord, that He would foon
open the eyes of thefe blind heathen, and grant them to
experience a true joy in God their Savior. Oftober i6th,
our travellers arrived at Gofchgofchuenk; where, to their
great furprize, they were well received and lodged in the
houfe of. one of John Papunhank's relations.
Gofchgofchuenk, a town of the Dela wares, confifted of
three villages, lying on the banks of the Ohio. The mif-
fionary lodged in the middle village, and foon after his ar-
rival, fent his two companions to requeft of the inhabitants,
that they, with their neighbors in the two other villages,
would ailembie, and hear the " great words" he had to tell
them. He was much pleafed to fmd here feveral perfons,
who knew him from his (irft vifit at Machwihilufmg in 1763,
where they had heard him preach. Thefe people alfo
remembered the outward order, obferved in the Brethren's
meetings, and now of their own accord, perfuaded the
men to place themfelvcs on one fide, and the women on the
other. The miffionary then informed tliem, that the only
aim of his coming was, to bring to them alfo, the great
good tidings,, by wdnicli they might be brought from darknefs
into light, and obtain communion with God and a full en-
joyment of eternal happinefs through faith in Jefus Chrift.
According to his own account, he felt great chearfulnefs
in preaching the Gofpel for the firft time in this wild coun-
try, b;ing ilrengthened in fpirit, boldly to declare, that life
and f.dvation is t3 be found only in the death of our crucified
Savior. The Indians, who hear the Gofpel for the firft time,
frequently feel a powerful emotion of heart raifed by a fub-
jeft fo new; but as the words and expreffions made ufe of,
are partly at fa-ft unintelligible to them, they always beg for
frequent
Cli. II. The Go/pel preached ot Gofchgofchuenh. I3
frequent repetitions, and thus Anthony and John Papunhank
were engaged, till pad midnight, in explaining and repeat-
ing " the great words" uttered by Brother Zeifberger.
This gave them alio an opportunity to bear a powerful tef-.
timony againft all heathenifh cuftoms, fuperftition and in-'
fidelity, their ov/n behavior proving the power of the blood
of Chrift, to deliver us from fin.
The whole town of Gofchgofchuenk feemed to rejoice
at the novelty of this vifit. ATany, according to the
miffionary's account, could never hear enough of this
great truth, that Chvift came into the world to fave fm-
iiers. They exclaimed frequently during the difcourfe,
*' Yes, that is certainly true ; that is the only way to happi-
" nefs !" A blind Chief, called Allemewi, was more pow-
erfully awakened, as alfo a woman, faid to be i2o years old,
who, at her requeft, was carried from the lower to the
middle village, to hear the good words of her Creator and
Redeemer before fire died.
Brother Zeifberger found however that the defcriptiou
given him of the people of Gofchgofchuenk, by the above-
mentioned Senneka Chief, was, alas, too true. He had
never yet feen the abominations of heathenifm praciifed to
fuch a degree. In his report he makes ufe of thefe words :
" Satan has here great power: he even feerns to have efta-
" blifhed his throne in this place, and to be adored by the
" heathen •, working uncontrouled in the children of difo-
" bedience." But he was grieved above meafure at the
abufe of the holy name of God, in the miJil: of their mod
(hameful and diabolical fuperilitions. This proceeded from
the Indian preachers, defcribcd in the Firil Part of this
work, who fpoke much of God, and declared, that their
mcft execrable heathenifli practices were all done to his
glory, and even at his command.
A preacher of this defcription, called Wangomen, was
jufl: then in Gofchgofchuenk, who frequently told the peo-
ple, in his public orations, that he was at home in the fide
of God i walking in and out, fo Me and furc, that neither
44 5^^ Go/pel preached at Gofchgofchtieni. P. Ill,
(in nor fatan could hurt him in the leafl : but as to the God,
whom the miflionary preached, and who became a man and
died on the crofs for us, he knew nothing of him, neither
did he acknowledge him to be the true God. The vifit oi
Brother Zeifberger was of courfe very difagreeable to this
man. Yet he was always prefent at the meeting, behaving
quietly and with attention, and frequently converfed with the
miflionary and his companions. It even appeared as if their
tefl-imony of the truth had wrought fome conviftion within
him, and made him rather lefs confident in his endeavors to
oppofe the Gofpel by his preaching. However this proved
foon to be otherwife, for when Bi-other Zeifberger, before
his return, aflembled all the men and afked them, whether
they wifhed thefe vifits to be repeated, and they unanimoufly
declared their aflent, Wangomen alone was filentj and
the reft infifting that he fliould declare his mind, he began a
public difpute, and by drawing a figure upon the ground,
endeavored to explain, that two ways led to happinefsj
the way of the Indians being ftraight, and leading more
immediately to God, than that of the white people. The
miflionary fought with meeknefs to convince him of his
error ; but Wangomen became bolder, declaring, that though
hehadbeen intimately acquainted with God thefe many years,
and enjoyed a familiar intercourfe with him, he had never
known that God had become a man, and fhed his blood ;
that therefore the God whom Brother Zeifberger preached
could not be the true God, for otherwife he flaould have been
acquainted with this circumftance. The milTionary then de-
clared, in the power of the Spirit, that the god whom he,
Wangomen, preached to the Indians, and whofe fervant he
was, was no other than the devil, the father of lies. Upon
this Wangomen anfwered in a more moderate tone : " I can-
" not underftand your dodrine, it is quite new and ftrange
*' to me." Brother Zeifberger replied : " I will tell you
** the reafon of it: Satan is the prince of darknefs; where
" he reigns, all is dark, and he d^jjells in you: therefore you
" are fo dark, that you can compieliend nothing of God and
"his
Ch. II. Account of Fiiedetishuetten, 25
" his word. But when you return, and come as a wretch-
'* ed and loft finner to Jefus Chrlfl: our Savior, calling
" on him for mercy ; then it may be, that he will have
" mercy upon you and deliver you from the power of Satan.
*' Then, and not before, you will begin to underftand fome-
*' thing of God and his word-, but now you cannot compre-
** hend it. It is not yet too late: the Lord grants you time
" to repent, and if you turn to him, you may yet be faved.
*' Do not delay, make hafte, and fave your poor foul," Af-
ter this fpirited addrefs, flowing from a heart, filled with
love to the poor man, Wangomen feemed ftruck with awe,
and confefling his mifery and ignorance, joined the reft in
requeuing another vifit. The Indians even met in council,
Wangomen being prefent, refolved to beg the Brethren
to fend a miflionary to rcfide among them, and com-
mitted their requeft to Brother Zeifberger. Having de-
livered feveral difcourfes to them, which were attended by
an extraordinary difplay of the power and grace of God,
many tears being flied by his heathen audience, he clofed
this vifit, with praife and thankfgiving to God for his mighty
deliverance, and fet out on his return. Having with his
companions borne much fatigue, famine, and bad weather
with great chearfulnefs, they arrived at Friedenshuetten on
the 5th of November. The report made of his journey
caufed univerfal rejoicing in that congregation, and he foon
after fet out for Bethlehem to give an account of the fitu-
ation of affairs on the Ohio.
In February 1768 Friedenshuetten was again difturbed.
Intelligence having been received, that a white man had
murdered ten Indians near Shomokin, four men, four women,
and two children. Our Indians were exceedingly alarmed,
fearing that the Indian nations would foon join to revenge
this horrid a£t of cruelty. They were greatly concernedfor
the fafety of their teachers, who, as white people, are con-
fidered as outlaws, and in danger of being facrificed to the
fury of the enraged favages ; for the latter never inquire in
fuch cafes, whether any one be innocent or guilty, but if
D3 he
Q.6 Account of Fr'iedenshuetten. P. Ill,
jie have a white fkin, they look upon that as a fufFicIent reafon
to take his life, to revenge any murdercominittedby the white
people upon an Indian. Our Indians thereiore refolved ne-
.ver to fuffer the miifionaries to be left alone, but to keep
flridt watch abouu their perfons. In the mean time, this
dreadful event was mentioned both to Government and to
General johnfon. The former immediately iiTued two
proclamations, oiTsring a reward of 2oo]. for the appre-
hending- of the murderer of the ten Indians, promifmg to
punifh him with deatli, and fent this declaration with two
firings of wampom to all tiie Indians, living on the Sufque-
hannah, defiring, that they would not break the peace.
.The fame meliage was feni to Friedenshuetten, and at the
qxprefs defire of the governor of Pennfylvariia communi-
xrated to tlie Indians in public affcmbiy, and "hen fent for-
.ward to other towns. Soon after a; fpccial meflage was fent
to our Indians by Sir Williarn Johnibn, defiring that if they
knew any of the relations of thofe perfons, murdered near
Shomokin, they would fend them to him, that he might
dry up their tears, comfort their afflicled hearts, and fatisfy
them rei'pe61:ing all their grievances. The General alfo
invited the Ciiiefs of the Iroquois and other Indian nations,
living on the Sufquehannah and the Ohio, to an amicable
convention. Friedenshuetten was iikewife called upon to
fcau delegates, and feveral neighboring Chiefs infifted upon
it. But our Indians had no inclination to go, not wifning
to interfere with any political affairs, and knowing froin
experience that thefe jcurnies and negotiations were attended
with more harm than good to the fouls of the delegates.
They therefore gave the Cajugu Chief full commiiTion to ap-
pear and treat with the reft in their name. But their ad-
verfaries feized this occafion, to moleft and perplex the be-
lieving Indians, pretending that General Johnfon and the
whole afiembly of Chiefs had refolved to confider them as
enemies, for having refufed to fend delegates, and to deftroy
them and their fettlement. Improbable as this appeared,
great upeafinefs was occafioned in Friedenshuetten, and the
c " miffionarvj
Ch. II. Account of Frledenshuetlen. Ij
miflionary, Brother Schmick, was hardly able to pacify the
minds of the people. At length their fears were removed,
certain intelligence being received, that, far from being
difafFe^led towards them, the General publicly praifed their
condu£lj and expreiTed a wifh that many fuch Indian towns
as Friedenshuetten might be eftahlifhed in tlie country. The
Chiefs of the Iroquois exprelled Hkewife great regard for this
fettlement.
Peace and friendfnip being thus re-eftablinjed betv/een the
Engiifh and Indians, tl' rough the benevolent exertions of
General Johnfon, and the Iroquois having fettled their dif-
putes with the Cherokees, all fear of an Indian war van i (lied,
and the minds of the people were fet at reft. The fo-called
king of the Cherokees was led in folemn pomp through the
whole country of the Iroquois, accompanied by tlie Oneida
Chief, and every where received as a friend. They alfo
came to Friedenshuetten, and the Oneida Chief availed him-
self of this occafion to declare the great joy which^he and
tlie whole council at Onondago feit» when they confidered,
that the Indians here learned to know God, and had teachers
refiding among them, to inftryft them in His ways ; exhort-
ing our Indians, never to depart from them, but to remain
firm and faithful. In confirmation of this, he delivered a
firing of wampom, and the Indians, by another ftring,
declared in reply, that it was their chief defire, to grow'
daily in the knowledge and love of God their Creator and
Redeemer, adding their fervent wifn, that all the Indian
nations might become acquainted with their God and Svivior :
for then peace and benevolence would infallibly reign among
them.
The joy felt by the Indians at the refloration of peace was
fomewhat leffened by an unexpefted account, received at
this time, that the Iroquois had fold all the country eaftward
cf the Ohio, in which Friedenshuetten was included, to the
EngUfh. They jullly apprehended, that this would give rife
ro new troubles, nor were they miftaken.
. ' . D4 In
2 1 Miffion at Gofckgofchuenh P. HI.
In the mean time the Indians at Gofchgofchuenk on the
Ohio were perfuaded by an Indian preacher, living about a
day's journey from that place, to fend a meflage to Friedens-?
huetten. This man hearing of Brother Zeifherger's vifit laft
year, and inquiring minutely into his doctrine, without being
able to gain fatisfaftory information concerning it, exprefled
great concern on that account, adding, that though he was
a preacher himfelf, yet he perceived that his dodrine was
not true; that he had heard many other preachers, who
likewife did not preach the truth; that this had been re-
vealed to him in a dream, in which fomebody appeared,
and told him, that they were all falfe teachers. This
made him eager to hear the doctrine of the Brethren, be-
caufe it might perhaps point out the true way to God. The
meflengers therefore earneftly defired, that a mifllonary
might vifit them again ; or rather, according to their former
yequell, come and live at Gofchgofchuenk.
During this period a refolution had been taken in Beth-
lehem, that Brother Zeifberger Ihould go again to Gofch-
gofchuenk, take Brother Gottlob Senfeman from Beth-
lehem, and fome Indian families from Friedenshuetten with
him, flay there fome time and endeavor to eftablifli a regu-
lar miffion. He and Brother Senfeman left Bethlehem in
April 1768, and Brother John Ettwein (afterwards confe-
crated a bilhop of the Church of the United Brethren) ac-
companied them to Friedenshuetten. Here they found the
above-mentioned meflengers from Gofchgofchuenk, who im-
mediately fet out with the joyful news, that the Brethren were
on the road, and would fettle in that place. May 9th, they
proceeded with tlie three Indian Brethren, Anthony, Abra-
ham, and Peter, with their families, partly by water down
the rivers Sufquehannah, Tiaogu, and Ohio, and partly by
land acrofs the country. But they foon difcovered their
error in not having previoufly informed the Iroquois of this
journey, and obtained their confent. Near Tiaogu, a party
of twenty captains came up with them, and endeavored by
a belt of wampomj in the name of the Iroquois, to prohibit
their
Ch. II, Mijfion at Gojchgofchuenh 29
their proceeding to the Ohio, and to compel them to re-
turn. But Brother Zeifberger boldly refufed to comply, and
having informed them of the aim of their journey and re-
turned their belt, he aflured them, that every ftep fhould be
taken to fulfil their duty to the Iroquois, with which the
captains at laft feemed fatisfied. The Cajugu Chief fent
likewife a meflage to Friedenshuetten, to inquire into this
bufinefs ; but foon after, on vifiting that fetilement, was pa-
cified by the mifhonaries, who owned their omiffion, and
afked his pardon. Our travellers proceeded now with good
courage. Thofe who M'^ent by land, were obliged to pafs
through many fires in the foreft, which rendered the air ex-
tremely hot, and filled it with fmoke and fuffocating exha*
Jations. They loft feveral nights reft, by the dreadful bowl-
ings, and even bold attacks of the wolves, who fometimes
ventured fo near their fires, that they were obliged to drive
them away by pelting them vi^ith firebrands. In general
all went well, and after a journey of five weeks, they arrived,
June 9th, at Gofchgofcimenk, the inhabitants having fent
a boat, laden with provifions, up the Ohio to meet them.
The joy on their arrival feemed general, and they were not
a little furprized, when they were lodged in the houfe of the
above-mentioned preacher Wangomen, which was large and
roomy; he having retired with his family into another,
merely to accommodate his guefts.
Brother Zeiftjerger did not negleft. Immediately upon his
arrival here, to fend a meflage to the Cajugu Chief to in-
form him of the purpofe of his journey; and Chief Alle-
tnewi fent alfo the following meflage to the Senneka Chief,
refiding at Zonefchio, to whom the country in which Gofch-
gofchuenk lay, belonged : " Uncle ! this is to acquaint you,
" that fome of our friends and two white Brethren are ar-
** rived with us, whom we invited to tell us the great words
*' of our God and Creator. You have often fent mefl^ages
** to us, admonifliing us to lead a good life, and to follow
" after virtue. This we have not yet done. But now we
** have refolved to change our lives, and to banifn far from
3© M'l^.on at Gofchgofchuenh P. III.
" us all heathenifh cuftoms ; fucli as feails, dancing, and
'^ drtiukennefs; and our Brethren, who are now with us,
" fliall inilrucSl us in tlie word of God/'
This indeed was the chief employment of the Brethren.
Brother Zeifherger preached every day, held morning and
evening' meetings, and fung hymns in the Delaware language,
which his new audience had never before heard. All thefe
meetings v.'ere attended by great numbers, and it was cu-
rious to fee fo many aiTcmbied to hear the Gofpel, with
faces painted black a^d vcrmillion, and heads decorated with
clufters of feathers and fox talls> which were much in ufe
arsong the young people. They were very eager and appa-
rently glad to hear the word of reconciliation, and the povi^er
of Gad attending it, enlivened and comforted the miilion-
The Brethren now refolved to build a blockhoufe for them-
felves, that they might preach the Gofpel more uninterrupt-
edly. They chofe for this purpofe a convenient fpot, at
a fmall dlftance from tlie tovv'n, and completed the work in
a fbort time, being alHlled by the inhabitants and even by
the young people. They alfo planted Indian corn, having
received land ready cleared from the inhabitants^ who alfo
helped them in planting. The believing Indians, the two
above-mentioned raefiengers fent to Friedenshuetten, and
fome families from Gofchgofchuenk, ereded their huts
around the miflionary's houfe, thus forming a fmall village
feparated from the town. To this a great number reforted,
and there the Brethren ceafed not, by day and night, to teach
and preach Jefus, and that God was in Chrill reconciling
the world unto himfelf.
They alfo found here, that the natural man Is hot willing
to acknowledge himfelf as wretched as he really is, and
nothing was more difficult, than to convince thefe Indians,'
that unbelief in Jefus Chrift is the greateft fin. One of
them affured the mithonary very ferioully, that the greateft
crime be had ever committed, v/as his having ftolen two fheep
?.nd an hen from the white people.
%4 {^P ^f4r ^- i'^^^ ^y^^
ryml'Z^
vU^
Ch. II. Mljj'tcu at Gofchgofchue7il. 31
The Gofpel having been preached for ' onie time witli
great power, a violent oppoGtion fucceeued, vi'hich w^as
chieily occafioned by the malice of the captains, as was
aftervi^ards difcovered by Chief Allemewi. Thefe people
pretended to poflefs a certain myilerious art, by which they
could kill any man in a manner unperceived, poifon fprings
and rivers, and fpread ficknefs throughout whole villages.
They feared that if any of their party- were converted, their
fecret would be difclofed, and thus the whole clafs of cap-
tains be in danger of lofing their lives, by the jull revenge
of the populace. Upon their fecret inftigation there-
fore, a number of a£>ive adverfaries made their appear-
ance, when leafl expetled. The greateil enemies of the
miifionavies were the old women, >vho went about, pub-
licly complaining, that the Indian corn was bl ailed or de-
voured by worms; that the deer and other game began to
retire fi-oni the woods; that no ehefnuts.and bilberries would
grow any more, merely becaufe Brother Zeifberger preached
a ftrange dodlrine, . and the Indians began to alter their
manner of living and to believe on God. One in particular,
who was unufually enraged againft him and his doctrine,
protected with vehemence, that whoever went to his meet-
ings and believed his words, would be tempted and tor-
mented by Satan, and that therefore all men (hould care-
fully avoid the company of the white teacher. The force-
rers appointed facriiices to appeafe the wrath of thofe fpirits,
who were offended by the prefence of the Brethren, and
offered hogs by way of atonement. An Indian, who had
been baptized in New England, raifed fcruples in the minds
of the hearers, by infinuating, that the white people en-
flaved all the baptized Indians, as he had experienced in
New England and Friedenshuetten. Others fpread a report,
that fome New England Indians had been on the other fide
of the great ocean, and brought a letter from the King of
England to all the Indians in North America, cautioning
thcni, agalnft following or believing the Brethren living at
|3ethlehem, for that they would lead them flraight to Hell.
Others
32 Mijfion at Gojchgofchuenh It. lit
Others endeavored to terrify the people, by aflerting^ that
as foon as the Brethren had gained fufficient power, and the
baptized Indians were fuperior in number, they would kill
iall the unbaptized. Soon after, five Indians of the Senneka
tribe, who were remarkably wild, diflembling, fuperfliti-
ous, and averfe to the Gofpel, came to Gofchgofchuenk,
one of whom, being a Chief, declared his great difpleafure,
that the people had fuffered white people to fettle amongft
them. The Chief in Zonefchio was likewife much enraged,
and violently oppofed the Brethren's dwelling in Gofch-
gofchuenk; fufpefiing, that other white people would foon
follow, build a fort, and take pofleffion of the country. He
fent therefore the following meflages as far as the land of
the Shawanofe : " Coufins ! I perceive that a man in a black
" coat, that is, a preacher, is come to you. This man will
" feduce you, and if you attend to him, he will make you
" forfake your old cuftoms and manner of living. 1 advifc
" you not to attend to him, but to fend him away. If you
*' do not follow my advice, you may poflibly find him fome
*' day lying dead by the way-fide." Many fecret meflages
arrived fuccefiively from the Iroquois, and it was afterwards
difcovered, that their import tended alone, to raife fufpici-
ons in the minds of the inhabitants againft the miflionaries,
and to urge them either to banlfli or kill them. Thefe mef-
fages had fuch an effe6l upon the minds of the people, that
the whole town feemed in confufion, and it was providen-
tial, that Chief Allemewi remained a friend and a firm de-
fender of the Gofpel. A forcerer was likewife fent from
Gekelemukpechuenk, where heathenifm and every abomina-
tion bore the fway, and every one fvi^as in danger of his life,
who dared to open his mouth concerning God and his word.
This man was commliTicned to confound Brother Zeif-
berger in the prefence of all the people, but his aim being
fruilrated, he retired with fliame. An heathen preacher,
living ai a great diftance from Gofchgofchuenk, fent a belt
of wampom to Chief Allemev/i, threatening that next fum-
mer the fun fliould Hand perpendicularly over hi« head, and
burn
Ch. It* Minion at Gofchgofchtidil* 33
burn and deflroy all the Indian corn in the land. As thefe
meflages were loon nolfed abroad, the adverfaries became
daily more outrageous, and fometimes fo much difturbed thei
houfe of the mifftonary, that he was obliged to delift from
preaching.
Wangomen, who had hitherto been a fdent hearer, and
behaved with great khidnefs to the Brethren, now threw off
the malkj going from houfe to houfe, and prohibiting the
inhabitants of Gofchgofchuenk to attend the meetings of
the baptized. Several^ fearing the reproach of men, ftayed.
away, or came only by night to efcape obfervation. Others
flood without, hearing in fecret, to take, as it were, the
word of God by Health. Young people were forbidden by
their parents to vilit the miffionaries, and parents would will-
ingly have Come, but were prevented by their childrens
Thofe who went boldly to the meetings^ were abufed, and
perfecuted in various ways. Some were even driven from,
their own houfes, and took refuge among the Brethren^
through whofe interceflion, they were received and proteded
by Chief Allemewi In his own dwelling. Here the words
of our Savior were literally fulfilled : *' / am come to Jet a
*' man at variance againjl his father y and the daughter againjl her
*' mother y and the daughter'ln-law againjl her mother-in-law ^antl
*' a mar^ s foes Jlmll he they of his own hoiifehold." Matt. x. 35^ 36^4
The miffionaries, to ufe their own expreffion, feemed to
live in a clofe and pernicious atmofphere \ for they faw them-
felves encompafled with bitter enemies, who wiflied daily to
take away their lives. Even many of thofe, who had lliowii
the greateft joy upon their arrival, were fo far changed, that
they were ready to ftone them. * Some advifed openly, to
kill the white people. Others demanded, that not only the
miffionaries, but all the baptized Indians, fhouldbe murdered
and thrown into the Ohio 3 and the friends of the Brethren
Were afraid of being murdered in the night. Two
Indians even entered into a covenant to kill the miffi-
onary* One evening feveral difagreeable vifitors made their
appearance, at a late hour, with an intent to murder them,
4 but
3:4 M'ljfion at Gofchgofchtienh. P. IIL
but had not the courage to execute their bloody defign. The
Brethren therefore thought themfelves no longer fafe, when
alone in their houfe, but always kept fome of the baptized
Indians with them, as a guard j and even thefe durft not
venture twenty or thirty yards from their own hcufes,
without being armed with an hatchet or gun, to keep off
malicious people.
Notv/ithflanding thefe troubles, the Brethren, were re-
folved not to quit their poft, but built a fmall winter houfe,
as a place of retirement, their large houfe being feldom free
from vifitors, where they might have an opportunity of
adminiflering the Lord's Supper to their Indian Brethren,
and keep other meetings with them. The mifiionary never
omitted preaching the Gofpel at the ufual time, being firmly
refolved, in fpite of the rage of Satan, to preach the word of
life, in humility and meeknefs, relying upon the Lord for
fafety-and defence; and to the praife of his holy name it
mud be owned, that at this trying junfture both he and Bro-
ther Senfeman were fo peculiarly ftrengthened in faith, that
no trials could conquer their confidence. The greatefl har-
mony fubfifted between them and the believing Indians, and
they mutually exhorted each other to poflefs their fouls in
patience, and in the midft of danger and perfecution to prove
by their v/alk and converfation, what fpirit they v/ere of.
During thefe troubles the Brethren were greatly encouraged
by an unexpecled vifit from an Indian woman, who with
many tears defcribed the divine effetl produced in her by the
word of God, audhowflie had obtained grace to believe, that
Jefus Chrift was her God and Savior. The above-mentioned
blind Chief Allemewi experienced likewife the power of
the Gofpel in a particular manner, and he now publicly
declared that he intended to believe on Jefus and to live unto
him. Thus the Brethren faw that their labor was not in vain
in the Lord, and covenanted anev/, to fufFer all things, yea
death itfelf, for the fake of Jefus and his Gofpel.
It is worthy of remark, that at that very time, when they
were daily threatened with death, their ferious remonftrances
had
Cli. II. Mijfon at Gofchgofchuenl. 35
had however fo good an effe£l on the greater part of the inha-
bitants, that the rum trade, which had formerly been carried
on to a great extent at Gofchgofchuenk, was entirely aban-
doned, and neither Indians nor white people were fuffered to
bring rum into the town. Had this regulation not taken
place, the Brethren would have found it impofliblc to remain
tliere any longer.
The inhabitants of Gofchgofchuenk were at length di-
vided into two parties, one of which oppofed the Gofpel
with all their might, and the other was To much attached to
it, as to declare, that they would rather quit Gofchgofchuenk,
and build a town in fome other place, than be deprived of
it. Light and darknefs began now to feparate from each
other. Thcfe who looked for a Savior, difmiffed their fears,
and attended the meetings publicly and diligently, not fuf-
ferlng the fevere weather to prevent them. For this they
were exceedingly hated by the oppofite party, who called
them, Sunday Indians or Shiuoftnaks, that is, white people,
the mod opprobrious name they could invent.
In Odlober 1768, the Brethren Zeifberger and Senfeman
made a journey of three weeks to the Chief of the Sennekas
in Zonefchio, an enemy to the Gofpel, to give him and
his council a juft idea of their dwelling and preaching
among the Indians on the Ohio. Chief Allemewj, the
head of that part of the inhabitants of Gofchgofchuenk,
who favored the Gofpei, fent two deputies to accompany
them, with the following meiTage : " Uncle ! I Vv-'ould let
" you knov/, that I have joyfully received the good word of
" God, brought to me and my people by the Brethren,
" whom you now fee before you. I love to hear this preci-
*' ous word of God every day, for it is not enough to hear
■" it once or twice*, but I muft be daily inftrucled in it.
*' Goi'chgofchuenk however is not a proper place for it j I
*' therefore beg and intreat you, uncle, to take us up, and
*' place us on the Onenge or Venango rivers, where there
" is convenience and room to build a tovv'n and to make
'^^ plantations, that we may live alone unmolcfled by favages
« anJ
0 Mifton at T/chechfchequannlnh V. llh
«' and infidels, and be able to receive all thofe, who in future
« may wifli to hear and believe the Gofpel.'*.
Allemew^i fent alfo meflengers, with the fame words, to
Pakanke, Chief of the Dela wares, and to King Beaver,
who lived further weft. Thefe meflages were every-where
well received, even in Zonefchio, and the propofal of
the Indians to remove from Gofchgofchuenk to the Venango,
as alfo their refolution to believe in God, was much com-
mended. They were moreover exhorted, to follow and be
obedient to the Brethren. But this being merely the opinion
of the council in Zonefchio, the unfriendly Chief, whofc
aflent was indifpenfably necefTary, being abfent, the affair
temained undetermined, and the tedious and dangerous
journey of the Brethren proved in vain.
CHAPTER HI.
1769. 1770.
Beginning of the MiJJion at Tfchechfchequann'mk, Pleaf^
ing Courfe of the Co?igregatwn at Frtedenshuetten*
Some outward Trouble and Bijlrefs, 'The Miffion-
aries are obliged to retire from Gofchgofchue?ik»
Building of LawUnakhannek on the Ohio. Brother
Zeifberger's Journey to Pittfburg. Firji Baptifm
of Indians on the Ohio* Various Jccounts,
Lawunakha?2nek is deferfed. Building of Frie-
dfftstadt on the Beaver Creek, Hopeful State of the
Miffion in that Place,
AMONG the various places which were vifited by the!
Brethren of Friedcn&huetten, was a town about thirty
miles higher up the Sufquehannah, called Tfchechfchequan-
liink, in which a great awakening took place. This was
occa«»
CL III. Mijjion atTJchcchfcheauamunl. 37
occafioned by the account given by thofe who had been at
Friedenshuetten, and related with energy what they had feen
and heard. At the repeated requeft of all the inhabitants,
the Brethren reiolved to fend a miflionary to refide among
them, and Brother John Rothe was appointed to this poll.
They however thought it prudent, firfl: to fend deputies to the
Cajugu Chief, and through him to petition the great council
at Onondago, to permit a Brother to live among them as a
teacher. This being done accordingly, leave was granted
without any dilHculty, the Cajugu Chief adding, that now
he fhould frequently go to Tfchechfchequannink, to hear
the " great word ;" being convinced, that that was the right
way to come to God and learn to know him.
February 4th, 1769, Brother Rothe moved thither, and
preached the day following to all the inhabitants, who were
eager to hear. At their requeft he regulated morning and
evening fervice, which was numeroufly attended. The
proofs of the grace and power of Jefus Chrift, prevailing in
thefe meetings, encouraged him boldly to preach repentance
and forgivenefs of fins in his name. Thofe who came with
their faces painted and their caps adorned with tinkling bells,
were, in a friendly manner, defired by their own countrymea
firft to wafli their faces and take off their bells. In March
two Indian affiftants went thither from Friedenshuetten, to
aflifl the miffionary in the in{lru6lion of the people, by
their edifying walk and converfation. Thus Tfchechfche-
quannink became as it were a chapel of eafe to Friedenshuet-
ten, and as Brother Rothe was not yet ordained, he always
went thither with his people to receive the Holy Commu-
nion or to attend baptifmal tranfacftions.
About half a mile from Tfchechfchequannink the favao-es
ufed at ftated times to keep their feafts of facrifice. On thefe
occafions they roved about in the neighborhood, like fo many
evil fpirits, making fuch hideous noifes and bellowings, that
the air refounded far and near; but they never approached
Eear enough to moleft the inhabitants of Tfchechfchequan-
nink, where the preaching of the Gofpel continued unin-
. Part III. E terrupted.
"^S M^fioH (it Tfchechfchequantilnh P, III,
terrupted, and the power of the Spirit of C^od was made
manifeft to the hearers. A white man, being prefent at a-
meeting, and feeing the Indians moved to tears by the words
of the Scripture, faid to Brother Rothe, " I am baptized,
*' and call myfelf a Chriftian, but my heart is far from be-
*' ing touched by the Gofpel." Concerning this emotion,
which even caufed the wildeft favages to fhed tears, an In-
dian thus exprelied himfeif : " Whenever I faw a man fhed
** tears, I ufed to doubt his being a man. I would not have
" wept, if my enemies had even cut the flefh from my bones,
*' fo hard was my heart at that time ; that I now weep,
*' is of God, who has foftened the hardnefs of my heart."
Brother Rothe had the pleafure to fee many fimiiar proofs
of the power of the word of God, and it appeared for fome
time, as if all the people in the town and neighborhood of
Tfchechfchequannink would turn to the Lord. Some time
after an enmity againfh the Gofpel began to fliow itfelf.
Some faid openly, " "We cannot live, according to the pre-
" cepts of the Brethren; if God had intended us to live
** like them» we fhould certainly have been born amongft
" them." A divifion likewife arofe between the Chiefs of
the town and the neighboring country, one of whom,
called James Davis, became a follower of the Gofpel, and
on that account was perfecuted and reviled by i'le reft.
The forcerers threatened, that firft his cattle, then he him-
feif, and foon after the miffionary fliould die. Others were
perfecuted in the fame manner, both by the heathen Chiefs,
the forcerers, and by their neareft relations. ,
Thefe troubles however were not able to hinder the pro-
grefs of the Gofpel in Tfchechfchequannink, and on the
1 8th of May, Brother Rothe had the- joy to fee the Chief,
James Davis, baptized in Friedenshuetten, being the firft
fruits of Tfchechfchequannink. Others were foon partakers
of the fame grace, and their chearful countenances and godly
walk fully proved the true converfion of their hearts. The
baptized converfed of their own accord with the heathen,
vifitors, concerning the power of the Gofpel, and frequently
^ made
Ch. nr. Account of Frledenshiietteii andTjchnhfchequannuik. 39
tnade an abiding impreflion upon them by their energetic
and experimental declarations. A ftrange Indian expreffing
his defire to believe in Jefus, Samuel exhorted him to con-
fider well what he faid ; adding, " A man mud know what
*' he is aboutj and whether he Intends to devote himfeif
** to the Lord for life; or he may become feven times worfe
« than he v/as before." — « Yes, indeed," replied the hea*
then, " the devil is very ftrong."— ^" But our Savior," re-
turned Samuels *' is much ftronger."
The glorious work of God in Friedenshuetten, flourifhed
uninterruptedly throughout the year 1769. The believers
grew evidently in the grace and knowledge of our Lord
Jefus Chrift, and a great many of the heathen vifitors were
awakened from the fleep of fin. Several of thefe had been
robbers and murderers ; who now appeared hungry and
thirfty after grace in the blood of Jefus, and by their un-
afFecled declarations gave the milTionaries inexpreflible fatif-
faflion. One being afked, by Brother Schmick, why he
wept fo much, and what he wiflied for ? anfwered, " Alas !
" I wifh to obtain life eternal ; my finful heart longs fof
" our Savior and his cleanfing blood. You know, that I have
*' often told you my defire, but to-day I have felt fuch ail
*' eager longing after our Savior in all the meetings, that I
" know not what to do, for the uneafinefs of my heart. I
" cry continually, ' Lord have mercy upon me! remember
*' even me, a wretched finner, forgive me all my fins, and
*' wafh me in thy blood: take my heart, bad as it is, my
" foul and body, and fave me." Another fpent almoft two
whole nights in tears. The miffionary inqulrilig into the
caufe of it, he anfwered : " Well may I weep, when I do
** not feel our Savior and the power of his blood In my heart \
" for without this, I am a loft and undone creature ; I wifh
" to be faved, and to believe in and love Jefus. I confidered
** what might hinder me. Is it my wife," faid I, " or any
*' thing elfe that is in the way? My heart told me. It is not
** my wife ; if I had no wife, I fliould be contriving to get one.
*' It muft be fomething elfe. It is my own bad heart !"
E % When
40 Account of Friedenshuetteu and Tfchechfchequanmnh. P. III.
Wlien fuch poor and heedy Tinners, weeping for mercy,
were afterwards abfolved in the name of Jefus, and bap-
tized^ their joy, and that of the congregation, was inex-
preflibly great.- A venerable old man, ninety years of age,
was baptized, fell ill, died, and was buried within five days,
the whole congregation praifing God that he had lived to re-
ceive mercy in his old age, and to depart as a reconciled fin-
ner, in fo edifying a manner. Indeed the great difference
between the baptized and the heathen was never more ftrik-
ing than on their death-beds.
As to outward matters, the courfe of the congregation
at Friedenshuetteu was very edifying. The mifhonaries re-
joiced particularly to fee induftry, diligence, a defire to learn,
and a benevolent behavior towards ftrangers, become univer-
fal. A Chief refiding on the Ohio, having heard many good
and evil reports concerning Friedenshuetteu, came purpofely
to fee the Chriftian Indians, and to inform himfelf of the
truth. He afterwards faid; " I had heard, that when
" ftrange Indians come to you, you pay no regard to them,
" and that you are a difdainful fet of people. But now I
" am convinced that this is a falfehood, and therefore I will
*' not believe any evil report of this place."
Whenever any Chiefs came to Friedenshuetten, the mif-
fionary, Schmick, ufed to invite them to dinner, efpecially
the Chiefs of the Iroquois j and being unaccuftomed to fuch
hofpitable treatment from the generality of the white peo-
ple, it made a good imprefiion upon their minds, and was
of great fervice to our Indians by removing mifapprehenfions,
and giving the mifiionaries an opportunity of converfing fa-
miliarly with the Chiefs, and of hearing and anfwering their
fcruples and remarks. They were very attentive even to
the fmalleft circumftances ; for inftance, their meafuring the
fields geometrically made fome fufpicious, who looked upon
this as a myfterious contrivance to fecure the land as their
own property. The miiTionary's houfe and the church being
ihown to them, fome paintings reprefenting the nativity, the
paflion on mount Olivet, and the crucifixion, engaged their
attention^
Ch.. III. Accowit of Friedenshuetten andTfchechfcheqita7i7Jtnh. 4 1
attention, and gave the miflionaries an opportunity briefly
to relate to them the hlftory of our Lord, which produced
in fome a falutary thoughtfulnefs. Many became friends and
defenders of the Brethren, and were reviled for it. Thus
a Chief of the Nantikok tribe, a prudent and fenfible Indian,
being convinced of the truth of the Gofpel, and behaving
well to the Brethren, was deprived of his ofBce by his own
people, but the Chief in Onondago reinftated him with
honor. Soon after this he payed a vifit in Friedenshuetten,
and faid : " My people have indeed taken away my belts
** and firings of wampom ; but they were obliged to leave
" me that underftanding, which God has given me; and I
** may ftill make ufe of it, as I pleafe, to do good."
The Brethren now learned with certainty from the Chiefs,
that the Iroquois had even fold that fpot of ground to the
Englifh -which they gave to our Indians in the year 1 765.
They therefore thought proper to fend fome deputies from
Friedenshuetten to Philadelphia, to obtain a new grant of
this land from the Governor of Pennfylvania. His Excel-
lency received them and the petition of the Indians very
kindly, and returned them an anfwer in writing, in which he
promifed, that, as a quiet and peaceable people, they fhould
not be diflurbed in their pofleflions, and that he had
ordered the furveyors not to take up any land withjn five
miles of Friedenshuetten. They therefore ihould confider
all reports, of taking away their land, to be without found-
ation, and if any dared to moleft them, he would protedt
and grant them fatisfadjpn. But he alfo expeded, that
they would behave as they had done hitherto, and not join
thofe, who raifed difturbanccs in the country. He fent the
fame favorable meflage to the converted Indians in Tfchech-
fchequannink. However, the confufion and troubles M-hich
the miflionaries had reafon to lear, could not be prevented,
J^efore they were avi^are, one or another European came,
pretending that the governor had either fold or given the
land, upon which our Indians lived, to them, and contrary
%Q ithe orders of the governor, the furveyors came to mea-
E 3 fure
42 Account of GofchgofchuenK P. III.
fure the land, and were with difficulty convinced of their
error. •
Towards autumn our Indians began to feel fome outward
diftrefs. Their provifions were at an end ; and the little they
had left, was confumed by vifitors and travellers. It was
very afFe<^ing to fee families of five or fix children without
food, obliged to go ten or more miles from home in queft
of bilberries. Happily no one perifhed with hunger, nor
did any one lack his daily bread. They frequently experi-
enced that the Lord liveth, and gracioully provides for his
people in every time of need : the barrel of meal wailed not j
neither did the crufe of oil fail, i Kings, xvii. 14.
The Brethren, who had preached the Gofpel in Gofchgo-
fchuenk had in the year 1769 reafon both for joy and foiTow.
Six families and three widows remained firm, defiring to
know JefusChrift, and neither contempt nor pcrfecution could
firake them. Many favages alfo became concerned for their
falvation, and t:ok refuge ajiiong the Brethren. One of
them was not content to ftay all day, but remained tUl mid-
night, relating his courfe of life; what trouble he had takers
to attain happinefs, ftriftly following Wangomen's prefcrip-
tions, offering many facrifices^ and paying him twelve fa-
tlw)ms of wampom J but all in vain. He therefore dcfired
to know the true way to God, for he wifhed to be faved.
Such fouls the Brethren received with particular kindnefs,
pointing out to them Jefus Chrift as the only way, being
frort, plain, and eafy to find, as foon as a foul is truly
defirous to obtain forpivenefs of fin and to forfake the fer-
vice of Satan. In February they confidered four perfons as
candidates for baptifm.
The powers of darknefs however foon exerted the:gafclves
with renewed force againft this grov/ing miflion. Wan-
gomen, who had been fome time abfent on his travels, re-
lated on his return with great boldnefs, that fome white peo-»
pie from Virginia having been in Gekelemukpechuenk, and
heard the Indian preachers with convidion, confefTed
with t?ars, that the Indians had the tr\ie dodrine, and
that
CK. m. Account of Gofchgofchtienk. 43
that they would adhere to their faith: for nothing would
grow in Virginia, and the famine they fufFered was a fign
of the wrath of God, becaufe they had not the true faith.
Thefe Virginians therefore refolved to be converted next
fpring to the Indian dodrine. " And now, my friends,"
exclaimed Wangomen, " you fee plainly that we have the
" true faith; for even the white perple themfelves intend to
*■'■ adopt it ; why will ye therefore go to the white Brethren,
" and hear and believe them ?" Wangomen appointed like-
wife many feafts of facrifice, to keep the people from at-
terjding the meetings of the miflionary. His party began now
to rave in a very furious manner, and to commit the moft
heathenifh abominations, even in the prefence of the Bre-
thren. At length the rum trade was forcibly introduced,
againft all the repeated remonftrances of the miflionary, the
Indian affiftants, and Chief Allemewi. This the Brethren
and the believing Indians confidered as a fign, given by the
Lord himfelf, that they fhould Hay no longer in Gofch-
gofchuenk, and therefore they began to build boats for their
departure.
As they wei-e thus employed, a Senneka Chief came with
two other Chiefs to Gofchgofchuenk, and prohibited the
miflionary, by a black belt of wampom, which always fig-r
pifies fome evil intention, to leave the town, till further
orders were received from Onondago. By another ftring
he laid a ftri£l injundion upon all the inhabitants, to refrain
from going to hear Brother Zeifberger's fermons, afluring
them, that God would be difpleafed, if they jfhould forfake
their antient cuftoms and prad^ces and follow the white
people.
Upon this Gccafion Brother Zeifberger ftepping boldly-
forward, withftood the Chief with great confidence, and
took occafion to bear a poM'^erful teflirnony of the love of
God revealed unto man in Chrift Jefus our Lord, before the
whole aflembly. After this, he and Chief Allemewi pro-
ceeded to give an anfwer to the above-mentioned blacK ftring,
and they both declared with firmnefs, that if they were not
E 4 perniitte4
44 The Mijftonaries remove to P. Ill,
permitted to go to Venango, they fliould however certainly
quit Gofchgofchuenk, and retire fifteen miles further, to a
place called Lawunakhanuek, fituated on the oppofite bank of
the Ohio.
This they foon after accomplifhed, and chafing a fuitable
place in the wildernefs, they built a new fettlement, where
they and the converted Indians might live, with thofe of the
people of Gofchgofchuenk, who were awakened, and de-
fired to hear the Gofpel without moleftation. Their view
was not to eftablifli a regular mifhon-fettlement in this
place, but only to dwell here for a time, until the prefent
affairs of the Indian miffioi^ in general {hould be more clear-^
ly fettled.
April 7th, the mifBonaries and all the converted Indians
left Gofchgofchuenk, filled with thanks and praifes to God
for having miradloufly preferved them thus far, even in the
midft of their enemies. They were accompanied by Alle-
mewi and all thofe who were concerned about their eternal
falvation, and aflembled that very evening in their new dwell-.
inp--place to praife and magnify the name of the Lord, who
guideth and protedeth his people in all places by his mighty
arm.
Wangomen now gained great afcendency in GofchgOr
fchuenk, meeting with no refinance. His joy foon got the
better of his prudence ; he frequently preached in a ftate of
intoxication, and behaved fo fhar^efully, that his hearers
were obliged to feize and bind him ; and at laft became
afhamed of their teacher. Yet their enmity to the Brethren
continued, and they endeavored to moleil them even in
Lawunakhannek, inventing threats as coming from the neighr
boring Chiefs, and omitting no opportunity of {bowing their
animofity. A woman, who had followed the Brethren to
Lawunalchannek, went to Gofchgofchuenk to buy Indian
corn. The perfon to whom fhe applied refufed to ferve her,
faying : ** I will not fell a grajn to the Lawunakhannek
" people ; for you fay that whoever believes in God, is hap-
J' py ; but I fay, that I am happy, when I have Indian corn
*' enough.
■ Gh. m. Laivitnakhannc'k on- the Ohio. 4 J
** enough. You m?.y therefore keep to your faith, worfhlp
" God and fufFer hunger; I will continue in my old way, wor-
" fhip Indian corn and eat my fill."
Meanwhile Brother Zeiiberger perfevered in preaching the
Gofpel, and his Indian afliftants, Anthony and Abraham,
were his faithful fellow-laborers. The latter made it his
peculiar pi'ovince to encourage and edify the newly awakened,
and the unbaptized Indians who lived in the place, exhorting
them not to Hop fliort in the work of their converfion, but to
devote their whole hearts to Jcfus, that by virtue of his death
a thorough change might be wrought within them ; for he had
perceived in fome, that though they heard the word of God
with gladnefs, they wifhed to keep to their corrupt inclinations
and heathenjfh manner of living. He addrefled them upon
this fubje^i emphatically, thus : " We lead a life of mifery,
*' when we have not a fingle eye towards our Savior, butbe-
*' lieve on him with only half an heart, and give the other half
*' to the world. On the contrary, if v/e are wholly his,
" then every thing is made eafy. Confider," faid he, " what
*' our teachers have done for us : they might live at home in
«' very good houfes, and here they cannot even get a conve-
" nient dwelling, but muft fit down among the aflies: they
" might eat, drink, and live well, but here they muft put up
*' with fpoiled Indian corn. All this they undergo, to tell
** you the great words of our Savior, and to fiiow you the way
^* of falvation." Anthony was diligent in attending and con-
verfing with the vifitors, who came in numbers from Gofch-
gofchuenk and other places to fee Lawunakhannek. He en-
deavored in various ways to ferve and edify them, and
preached the Gofpel with great boldnefs. At the clofe of one
of his difcourfes, he obferyed : *' I have not received thefc
'' things in a dream. The Indians may have revelations and
"figns in dreams, but I was in my right fenfes and broad
" awake, when I felt and experienced the power of the
*' Gofpel in my heart." This faying made a great imprefilon
pppn many of the favages. They faid, " If any thing be
" true.
4^ Glthhikan*s Converjiott^ P. III.
** erue, it is this dodrine ; furely the Brethren teach the right
•* wayto happinefs."
The moft difiinguifhed charadler among the numerous
vifitors was Glikkikan, an eminent captain and warrior, coan-
fellor and fpeaker of the Delaware Chief in Kafkafkunk.
This man came purpofely to difpute with and confound
Brother Zeifberger, as he had formerly ferved the Romifti
Ijriefts in Canada ; the Chiefs having appointed him, as the
moft able fpeaker, to refute their dodlrines. He was likewife
a teacher of his people, but never adhered ftriclly to one
opinion, changing his faith, as he received new impref-
fions, He afterwards confefTed, that before he left Kaflcaf-
kunk, he had well confidered, what he intended to reply, by
•way of confounding the Brethren, and c^tnie, as he thought,
completely armed at all points. When he arrived at Lawu-
nakhannek his courage failed, and he refolved to hear the
Brethren firft, and then to reconfider his reply. Anthony,
that a6live and chearful witnefs of Jefus, whofe heart con-
tinually burned with defire to lead fouls to their Savior, fo
that he often forgot to take food and reft, in attending to
this bleffed work, invited Glikkikan and the Chiefs, who had
come with him from Gofchgofchuenk, to be witneiTes of the
miffionary's defeat, to dine with him, after which he ad-
drelTed them in the following manner : *' My friends, liften
*' to me ! I have great things to tell you. God created the
** heavens and the earth, and every thing therein, and there
*' is nothing exiiting that was not made by him." He then
paufed for fome time, and proceeded : " He alfo created us ;
** and who is there among you that knows his Creator ? \
*' tell you the truth, no one knows his Creator by his reafon
*' alone j for we are all fallen from God, and rendered blind
^' by fm." Here he made a longer paufe, to give them tim?
to confider his words, and proceeded : ^ This God, who
♦' created all things, came into the world, and became a man
** like unto us ; only he knew no fm, But why did he come
w down from heaven and become a man ? Cpnfider this a
?* little^'
Ch. III. Glihi'ilar^s Cofiverjiorio 47
*< little.'^ After a long paufe he added : *' He became a man
*' and took upon him our nature, that he might fhed his blood
*' for the remiffion of our fins, and fuiFer death on the crofs,
** by which he has purchafed for us everlafting life and happi-
^* nefs, and delivered us from eternal condemnation." Thus
Jie continued to difclofe the whole will of God cor.cerning
our falvation in fhort fentences, interrupted by paufcs for
contemplation. Glikkikan's heart was captivated ; he felt
the power of this precious word, and confelTed before the
Chiefs of Gofchgofchuenk,that all which they had now heard,
was true. He then attended the ufual daily meeting, and
was exceedingly ftruck by feeing, when full awake, what he
■declared to have beheld in a vifion, feveral years ago. He
had dreamt that he came to a place, where a number of In-
dians were affembled in a large room. They wore their hair
plain, and had no rings in their notes. In the midft of them,
he difcovered a Ihort white man, and tlie Indians beckoning
to him to come in, he entered and was prcfented by the white
man -vyith a book, who defired him to read : on iii? replying,
*< I cannot read," the white man faid : *' After you have
" been with us fome time, you will learn to read it." From
this time he frequently told his hearers, that there were cer-
tainly white people fomewhere, who knew the right way ta
God, for he had feen them in a dream. Therefore when he
came hither, and faw the Indians and the fhort white man,^
Brother Zeifberger, exa£lly anfwering to the figure of him he
faw in his dream, he was much aftoniihed. He now fre-
quently went to Lawunakhannek, and converted earnefily
with the Brethren. He even once reproved the unbaptized
Indians, who. lived there, for the flow progrefs tht-y made in
their converfion. " What," faid he, '• have you heard the
** word of God upwards of a year, and not one of you be-
** lieves and is baptized .'' You are certainly not in earnell
<* about your faith, for fuch a long time is not required to
1* turn unto the Lord." Upon his return to Kafkaikunk, he
honellly related ihe unexpefted refult of his undertaking, and
dciivcred
^8 Account of LaivuJtahbanmi. V. 111.
delivered a noble teflimony concerning the Brethren and their
labor among the heathen.
Upon this a folemn council was held at Gofchgofchuenk,
to confider whether they fhould receive the Gofpel ? The
council was divided in opinion, but contrary to expeO:ation,
a great majority agreed to receive the word of God. The
following anfwer was therefore returned to the Senneka.
Chief, who had given them the above-mentioned charge, not
to hear the words of the Brethren t " Uncle, you have
" brought us words, implying that we are neither to hear,
" nor believe the do£lrine of the v/hite people. This is to
" let you know, that all our friends in Friedenshuetten have
•* received the word of God, and why fhould we not do the
" fame ? We will therefore hear the word of God, for every
" one has full liberty to hear or not to hear it. Whoever has
•' no mind to hear, may flay away. For the Indians are a
**■ free people, and v/ill never be flaves."
From this time the Brethren were more eafy in their minds ;
a very different fpirit fecmed to prevail, and an earneft defire
after the enjoyment of the grace of our Savior was perceived
among the people.
As to their maintenance, the inhabitants of Lawunakhan-
nek met with great difficulties in the beginning. The har-
veil in their new plantations was not yet gathered ; their old
flock of Indian corn was fpoiled and half rotten, which how-
ever they ate with thanks. When that was confumed, they
could buy no more throughout the whole country. The
Brethren Zeifberger and Senfeman therefore, with fome
Indian Brethren, travelled to Pittfburg in July, and were
fortunate enough to procure a further fupply.
Here they found the people in great confternation for fear
of an Indian war, the treacherous Senneka Indians having
ftolen upwards of 150 horfes, fhot above 200 head of cattle,
and even murdered fome white men, under pretence that the
■white people had got pofieihon of fo much of the Indian
country, that on that account they could neither rob, nor do
them
Ch. III. Zeiprger's Journey to Plttfiurg. 49
them injury enough. This gave rife to an ophiion hi Pittf-
burg, chat all the Indian nations had broken the articles of
peace, and therefore the plantations around this fort were all
dcferted. Brother Zeifberger, who was better acquainted
with the fituation of affairs in the Indian country, thought it
his duty to apprife the governor and officers in Pittfburg of
this circumftance, and they fo far attended to his propofitions,
as to lay afide their refoI-(ition of confidering and treating all
Indians as enemies, and refolved to fend delegates to the
Chiefs of the other Indian tribes, to complain of the in-
jury done by the Sennekas, and to demand fatisfaftlon.
The milTionary likewife advifed, that an agent of Indian af-
fairs might be again appointed in Pittfburg, who Ihould make
himfelf acquainted with their fituation, conPdtucion, and
ufages, preferve a friendly intercourfe, hear their complaints
againft the white people, refer thofe of the latter to a court of
juftice, and endeavor to fettle all difputes in an amicable man-
ner. This advice was well received in Pittfburg, and the good
effeds of it foon became evident. Thus the miffionary had
the fatisfa£lion to do an effential fervice to the whole country.
He likewife took great pains, in paffing through feveral Indian
towns on his return, to pacify the minds of the inhabitants,
nnd to advife them to keep peace. God bleffed his endea-
vors in fuch a manner, that the principal Chiefs of thefe places
agreed with Allemewi from Lavvunakhannek to fend depu-
ties to Pittfburg, to aflurethe Englifli of their good difpofition
towards them. The deputies were well received, treated as
peaceable Indians, and returned with a belt of wampom fent
to all the Indian nations, by which the Sennekas alone were
declared enemies, and the other Indians, friends to the Eng-
]i{h. But as not only the Sennekas continued to plunder, but
even the white people broke their word and frequently did
injury to the Indians, the diflurbances continued, and the
negotiations of peace begun at Pittfburg, were fufpended.
The white Brethren at Lawunakhannek having hitherto
been content to live in an hunting hut, began on the ill of
September to build a chapel and dwelJing-houfe. They
inhabited
50 Account of Laivunakhannek). ^^.111.
inhabited it before winter, and confecrated tbd cbapel % and
a. bell which they received from Bethlehehi, was hung in a
convenient place.
Soon after they gathered in their harveft, and had a very-
rich crop, which put the heathen publicly to ihame, as they
had frequently prophefied, that the crops of all thofe who
believed in Jefus would faih
Now that blefled period arrived, fd long and io eagerly
wifhed for by the miffionaries, when they had the inexpreffi-
ble joy to baptize the firdHngs of this country, namely, a
married couple and their child. This folemnity, which took
place on the 3d of December, was attended with fo power-
ful a fenfation of the ptefence of God, and had fuch an efre£l:
upon the other Indians, that the Brethren were richly com-
forted for all their forrows and afflidions. Brother Zeifber-
ger called it, in his report, a feftival without its equal. The
baptized man was one of the two meflengers fent in the
fpring of 1768 to Friedenshuetten to invite the Brethren
to Gofchgofchuenk, and could now not find words fufficient
to exprefs his gratitude to God for the grace beftowed on
him. His wife faid afterwards to an Indian fifler, that fhe
felt herfelf to-day quite a new creature, to what fhe was
yefterday, and was inexpreffibly happy : " Yet,*' added ^At^
*' I have done nothing to deferve it."
Several inhabitants of Gofchgofchuenk who were at this
baptifm, propofed that a refolution m.ight be taken in the
council, that they fhould all unanimoufly receive the Gofpel.
But the miflionary reprefented to them, that this would
anfwer no good purpofe j and rather advifed, that each
fnould examine his own heart, and know whether he v/as re*
folved to be devoted to Jefus Chrifl or not j as every one
might determine this for himfelf, and' had no occafion oil
this account to afk the confent of the chiefs. Some time after,
the blind Chief, Allemewi, defired to be carried to the mif-
fionary's houfe. He feemed full of grief, and at length broke
out in thefe words : '* Brethren ! 1 can bear it no longer, i
"* mufl open my mind to you. I have neither eaten nor Hept
"for
Ch. III. AccmntofFriedenihietUnand^Jchechfchequiinmnh ^t
'* for three days and nights ; my heart is full within me, and I
" have no reft night nor day. I am convinced, that I am a ioft
" finner, and unlefs my heart fhall foon receive comfort, I muft
^' die, for I cannot live fo much longer. I am now fick botli
*' in foul and body." He trembled all over, as he uttered
thefe words. He was advifed, to refolve without hefitation, to
come unto Jefus, weary and heavy laden, for then he would
find relt for his foul. At length, after much obftinate op-
pofition on the part of his wife and neareft relations, and
after many fcruples raifed in his own mind, he refoived to
caft himfclf with all his mifery upon the mercy of his Re-
deemer. His repeated requeft to be baptized was alfo grant-
ed on Chriftmas-day, when he received the name of Solomon 5
and afterwards could not fufficiently exprefs, what th^
Lord had done for his foul. He faid, " Not only my heart
'' is at cafe, but my body is even reftored to health : in ftiort,
" I feel that I am quite another man. I could not have be-
" lieved, that I fhould enjoy fuch happinefs." The holidays
were truly days of grace and confclation. Many fcoffers
■were awakened and wept over their forlorn eftate. Others
begged for baptifm, and Brother Zeifberger had the fatisfac-
tion to fee, even in this country, that no oppofition is fo
fierce, and no enemy fo powerful, that may not be overcome
by the blood of the Lamb and by perfeverance in boldly
preaching the word of the Crofs.
Friedeushuetten took the greateft fhare in all thefe pro-
ceedings on the river Ohio, and as the prayers of that con-
gregation had been fervently offered up unto God in behalf
of Brother Zeifberger and his afTiftants during their great
fufferings, fo likewife they now offered up thanks and praifes
unto him for the happy change in their fituation. The peace
and reft enjoyed both at Friedeushuetten and Tfchechfche-
quannink were gratefully acknov/ledged as a fingular mercy of
God. In both places the preaching of the Gofpel was unin-
terruptedly continued during the year 1770, with power
and great bleffing, the miihonaries being frequently encou-
i'aged in an extraordinary degree, whea they faw themfelves
fur.
52 Account of Fr'iedenshuetten and Tfchechfchequannink. P. III.
furrounded by fuch numbers of heathen, and bore witnefs of
the power of that blood, which was fhed for them alfo. The
open and fmcere declarations of the awakened gave them great
comfort, as they plainly proved, how gracioufly the Holy
Spirit labored upon them, to convince them both of their
total depravity, and of the neceflity of turning for help and
mercy to Jefus. An unbaptized Indian faid one day with
great emotion: " A year is now elapfed, fince I firft faid,
** that I would devote myfelf to our Savior j yet I have not
*' done it, but deceived him and the Bi-ethren. living in fin,
** and having no peace of mind. I now fee that I am full of
*^ fin ; wherever I look, there is nothing but fin ; yea, it per-
*' vades my whole body, and unlefs our Savior has mercy
** upon me, I mull be lofl, for I cannot help myfelf." An
unbaptized Indian begged with great concern, that his dying
child might be baptized, adding, " If my child is baptized,
" and cleanfed in the blood of Jefus Chriil, I fhall be fatisfi-
*' ed, if it fliould even die ; for then it will go to our Savior."
His requeft was granted. An Indian woman, 97 years of
age, having been baptized by a clergyman of another perfua-
llon, was, at her requeft, received as a member of the Bre-
thren's congregation, and foon after departed this life rejoi-
cing in God her Savior.
It was a matter of no fmall joy to obferve the power of the
Holy Ghoft among the young people, for whofe ufe two new
fpacious fchool-houfes were built at Friedenshuetten. The
miflionaries confidered it as' a fufhcient reward for all the
trouble of inftru£ting them, to fee their good and obedient
behavior, and their diligence in learning their leffbns. Nor
was it lefs pleafing to hear them fing hymns of praife to our
Lord and Savior for his incarnation, fufferings, and death, in
the Delaware and Mahikan languages.
The Iroquois, who, as before mentioned, had deceitfully
fold that land to the Englifh, upon which Friedenshuetten was
built, and which they had formerly given to the believing
Indians, attempted now to unite them with the favage Indians
on the Sufquehannah, and to remove them ahogether inta
1 the
Ch. Ill' Accoimt of Lanvunakhanneh. 53
the neighborhood of AtTimffink, where they all fhould join
in building a large town. In this view they fent a meffage to
Friedenshuetten in April 1770, which was rejeiEled by the
Chriflian Indians, who took this occafion to remonftrate with
the Iroquois on their treacherous behavior, and without fur-
ther hefitation, declai'ed their propofal to be void of common
fenfe and honefty. T:ie Iroquois then fent another meflage
to -our Indians, with two Spanifh dollars, as their fhare
of the money received for the land fold to the Englifli,
afluring them, that Friedenshuetten was exprefsly except-
ed and {hould remain free. But our Indians returned the
two dollars, with the following meffage : " We had no land
" to fell ; it is your land, and the money is likewife yours ;
" take it therefore, for we do not defire to reap the benefit
*' of your labors." The latter part of their meflage was left
unanfwered, our Indians knowing it to be an untruth. The
fame meflages being fent to Tfchechfchequannink, they were
anfwered in the fame manner, and the miffionaries were glad
to perceive, that fo little impreffion was made by them on the
minds of the believers. They likewife enjoyed peace and
reft, and the general wiflies and exertions of all were directed
to this one point, richly to enjoy the falvation of God even in the
midft of an heathen country, and by a walk conformable to the
precepts of Chrift, and a benevolent behavior towards all men,
to prove a blefhng and edification to the neighboring places.
Though the mifllonaries continually exhorted our Indians
to treat their neighbors with kindnefs and courtefy, yet they
always cautioned them againft ufelefs vifits in other towns,
which were often attended with danger, a melancholy in-
ftance of which happened to an Indian Sifter, on the nth
of May, who being on a vifit in a neighboring town, was
ftruck with a tomahawk on the head by a drunken Indian,
and Icllled on the fpot.
At Lawunakhannek, the beginning of the year 1770 was
diftinguifhed by a gracious vifitation of God our Savior. Seve-
ral heathen, who did not refift the Spirit of God, were added
to the fellowfliip of the believers by holy baptifm. A meet-
ParT III. F ing
Pij Account of Laiuiir.akhanneh, P. Ill,
ing was held with the baptized alone, to remind them of the
great grace beftowed upon them, and of the fruits of faith,
which were expecSled in ccnfequence of it. This had a
blefled elfeci, and it was not long before the new baptized
became aftive and zealous in the propagation of the truth.
They now vifited Gofchgofchuenk, their former place of
refidence, with great boldnefs, and publicly confefled that
they had formerly been flaves of fm, but were now made
free through the mercy of God our Savior. This was l\ke-
wife the topic of their converfation with the vifitors, both
from Gofchgofchuenk and other places, fo that there was
not an houfc in Lawunakhannek in»which the gofpelwasnot
preached. This tended greatly to confirm the public tefll-
mony of the milTionary, and many a vifitor left the place with
fentiments, widely different from thofe, which he brought
with him. A fti-ange Indian was conveying a barrel of rum
to Gofchgofchuenk for fale,but calling at Lawunakhannek by
the way, he heard the gofpel, was convinced of his unhappy
condition without God in the world, refolved to flay with
the Brethren and alter his manner of living, and returned the
barrel of rum to the trader at Pittfbui-g, declaring that he
would neither drink nor fell any more rum, as it was againll
his confcicnce ; he therefore begged the trader to take the
rum back, adding, that if he refufed, he would pour It into
the Ohio. The trader and other white people prefent, were
greatly amazed, allured him that this was the firft barrel of
rum they had ever feen returned by the Indians, and took
it back without further objetlion.
During this time of grace, they were not without perfecu-
tions, though it appeared, as if the enemy had loflhis power.
One of the favages, who had determined laft year to murder
the Brethren, could not forget it, but refolved to do it this
year in January. The better to accomplifh his defign, he firfl
got drunk, but lofing his way in coming to Lawunakhannek,
was overtaken by the night and fell afleep in the wood. In
the morning when he arofe fober, he loft his courage and re-
turned. Wangomen alfo took great pains to prevent the
Indians
Chi III. Account of Laivitna'khanne'k. tt.
Indians Trom coming to hear the gofpel, but now his mifre-
prefentations made no impreffion upon their minds.
About this time a. fingular circumftance happened, which
occafioned another emigration. Lawunakhannek began "to
be much troubled by the warriors, who frequently pafled
through. The Sennekas having broken the treaty,^ but
lately made with the Cherokees, murdered feveral of the
latter. The Cherokees therefore caught two Sennekas, cut
off all their fingers, and fent them home with the following
mefTage : *' We had made a gerpetual peace witli you, and you
*' with us : but the treaty was fcarce concluded, when you
*' broke it again : you had promifed us to hold fafc the chain
" of friendfhip, but you have not done ic. Now becaufe you
*' will not hold the chain of friendfhip Vv'-ith your hands, we
" will cut them off, and fend you herewith a fpecimen."
Upon this, hoftilities commenced, and as the Brethren and
their Indians wifhed to withdraw from the vicinity of t!,e
war, and the numbers of thofe, who moved to Lawunak-
hannek to hear the gofpel, increafed fo faft, that they began
to want room, they at lail refolved to accept of the friendly
offer, repeatedly m.ade by the Chiefs in Kalkafkunk, and to
fettle in the neighborhood of that town.
This refokition occafioned much joy in Kafkafkunk, efpeci-
ally to Glikkikan ; and in Lawunakhannek all hands were
now diligently employed in building canoes and preparing for
the journey. But in order to obviate any harm, that might
arife from evil-minded people, who had threatened to hinder
them by force from quitting the place, or to kill them by the
way, the Brethren informed the council at Gofchgofchuenk
of their intention. The council fent for them, gave them
full liberty to depart, and begged Brotlicr Zeifberger to
forget all former injuries and the dangers he had been
expofedto in their town, ov/ning, that at that time a band of
murderers had fworn to take his life. Brother Zeifberger
willingly forgave them, and improved the opportunity, to bear
witnefs to the great and pai-doning love of Jtfus Chrill, whofe
fervant he was. The council further refolved, that confidei--
ing the Brethren had come to them, merely in this good view,
V 2 to
56 57v Chrijiian Indians quit Lanvunalhanneh. P. III'^
to teach them the word of God, it was but juft, that they
fhould not continue in danger of their lives, and to this end
they fliould be adopted members of the Monfy tribe of the
Delavt^are nation, and be regularly naturalized, by which
they lliould never be confidered as other white people, in cafe
of a war with the latter, but be treated as native Delawares.
This refolution they ordered to be communicated to the other
Chiefs and councils of the Delaware nation, and propofed.
to appoint an umpire, to watch over the due obfervance
of the peace and covenant, eftabliflied between them and the
white Brethren. The miffionaries received this offer with
thanks, as an event, that might prove beneficial in its confe-
quences.
April 17th, 1770, the congregation of Lawunakhannek
broke up, and fet out in 16 canoes, paffing down the river Ohio
by Pittfburg to the mouth of the Beaver Creek ; which they
entered, and proceeded up to the falls, where they had to un-
load and tranfport their goods and canoes by land. One of
thefe carrying places detained the-m two days. The frequent
repetition of this troublefome work caufed them to be very
thankful when they met Glikkikan with fome horfes from
Kafkafkunk for their ufe.
Thus after a tedious journey, during which they had how-
ever held their daily meetings as often as their fituation would
permit, refrefliing their fouls by the comfortable word of
God, they at length arrived on the 3d of May in the country
where they intended to build their new fettlemei.'.-; The fpot
appointed for them could not have been better chofen, and
there was good land fufiicient to fupply an hundred families.
They now informed PakankC; the head chief in Kafkafkunk,
and his council, of their arrival. During the formalities ufual
on fuch occafions, both Brother Zeilberger, and the Indian
deputies, delivered feveral copious fpeeches, to give the inha-
bitants of Kafkafkunk, from the very beginning, a jufl idea
of their new neighbors, and Pakanke bid them welcome in
the fame number of fpeeches. Captain Glikklkan^could now
no longer bear to live at Kafkafkunk, but defired leave to dwell
with
Ch.III. Fr\edtmf:adt hulk. ST
v/ith the Brethren. The latter exhorted hun well to confider,
that in fo dohig he would exchange an honorable office, power
and friends, for reproach, contempt and perfecution. But his
declarations were fo firm and fincere, that it was impollible
for them to refufe his requeft.
The Indians were now diligent at work in their plantations,
and dwelt in the mean time in bark huts. They alfo built a
large hut for the meetings of the congregation, which were
numeroully attended by the people from Kaflcaikunk. The
fettlement made by the Brethren here, was called Langunto-
utenuenk, or Friedensftadt, the Town of Peace.
June 12th, the firft baptifm was adminiftered in this place,
to the wife of the bHnd chief Solomon, who had formerly
oppofed her hufband with great violence, but afterwards be-
came thoughtful, and anxious to obtain falvation. Glikkikan
and others, who had never feen this tranfadlion, were ftruck
with wonder and amazement, and the whole aflembly
was fo powerfully pervaded by the fenfation of the prefence
of God, that the Brethren Zeifberger and Senfeman were
overcome with joy, and filled with renewed courage, boldly to
maintain their poft, even under the moll grievous cppreffions,
3nd gladly to venture their lives in endeavoring to lead fouls
to Chrift.
The Indians in the neighboring country were ailonilhed
or rather alarmed to fee a people fettle among them, fo much
•differing in manners and cuftoms from the heathen, and
to hear a do61:rine preached, of which they never before had
any idea. In fome this aftonifhment was foon changed into
difpleafure and animofity. Glikkikan's retiring from Kaf-
kafkunk to Friedensftadt, occafioned univerfal diiTatisfatlion.
His friends fpared no pains to prevent it by kind perfuafions ;
but finding them ufelefs, they railed moft"bitterly againft him,
calling him a forcerer, by which they even endangered his
life. The old Chief, Pakanke, who had always employed
him as his fpeaker, and looked upon him as his right hand,
■altered his friendly behavior toM^ards the Brethren, and de-
nied his having invited them into the country, charging
F 3 Glikktkaa
58 Account of Friedcmjladt. P. HI.
Glikkikan witli it. He even attacked him publicly, and in
great v/rath faid, '' And even you have gone over from this
" council to them. I fuppofe you intend to get a white fkin ?
** But I tell you, nbt even one of your feet v^ill turn white,
*' much lefs your body. "Was you not a brave and honored
*' man, fitting next to me in council, when we fpread the
*' blanket and confidered the belts of warapom lying before
*' us? Now you pretend to defpife all this, and think to
" have found fomething better. Some time or other you will
" find yourfelf deceived." Glikkikan replied briefly thus : " It
" is very true, I have gone over to them, and with them I will
" live and die." Though Colonel Croghan, an EngUfh officer,
exhorted Pakanke not to oppofe the brethren, but to fuiFer
all thofe Indians, who wifhed to hear the Gofpel, to go to
them, adding, that they aimed at nothing, but the real wel-
fare and interefr of the Indians ; and though Pakanke promif-
ed fair, yet he remained an enemy, and many were deterred
from coming to Friedensftadt. ASout this time, a very bad
epidemical difeafe prevailed among the Delawares, M^hich
took off great numbers, and was afcribed.by the heathen to
the power of magic. Many of the Chiefs and counfellors at
Gekelemukpechuenk and other places conceived a notion,
that they could not remedy this evil in any other way, than
by unanimoufly refolving to receive and believe the word of
God. As it was foon known that Pakanke was averfe to the
caufe, the Chief and council of Gekelemukpechuenk fent him
a black belt of wampom of a fathom in length, with the follow-
ing meffage : " There is a contagion among us : many Indians
*' die, and this evil has lafted fome years : we fliall all foon
"be deftroyed, unlefs feme help be procured. Convene a
*' council upon this belt. Whoever does not receive this belt,
" fhall be confidered as an enemy and murderer of his people,
*' and we fliall know how to treat him according to his deferts."
This meffage being of myfterious import, Pakanke v/as left
to guefs its meaning. But he pretended not to underftand,
that it implied, that they iliould receive the Gofpel as the
only remedy.
The
Ch. III. Account of Friedensjladt. 59
The Brethren found meanwhile, that it would be highly
neceflary for thecaufe of the Gofpel, to remove a mifunder-
ftanding which prevailed among the heathen to the prejudice
of the Chriftian Indians. They afferted, that as fbon as the
latter changed their mode of living and refufed to join in their
vices, they likewife withdrew their contributions towards the
fupport of the affairs of the nation, and would no more aiTifi; in
furnifliing the ufual quantity of wampom, allowed for the ufe
of the Chiefs. 'J he millionaries therefore took the neceffary
fteps to procure a formal declaration from the believing,
Indians, in all places, to this eftccl : " That though they
*' never intended to interfere, either with the affairs of flate
•' or v/ith the wars of the favages, yet they were always v/ill-
" ing to bear their fliare of the public burden in times of
" peace, and to contribute towards the expences attending
•' all meafures adopted for the welfare of the nation, which
" were not meant to moleft either the white people or the
'' Indian nations-, but upon this pofitive condition, that the
*' Chiefs, counfellors, and captains of all the different tribes
*' fhould never claim the leaft authority over the miffionaries,
" but leave them at full liberty to go where they pleafed,
" and in cafe of their return to Bethlehem, to fend other
" Brethren in their room." This declaration gave univerfal
fatisfaclion, was anfwered by all the Chiefs in very civil
terms, and by fome, by formal embaffies, and prevented
much enmity, to which the believing Indians and their
teachers might have otherwife been expofed. At Gofch-
gofchuenk, Wangomen was appointed deputy, and fent by
the council with a full and concife anfwer, couched in the
moft courteous terms, to Friedenslladt, and thence to
Pakankc at Kafkaficunk, to inform him and his council of the
adoption of the Brethren into the Monfy tribe, defiring him
to fend the melTage forward to tlie reft of the Delaware tribes,
and with their confent to the Iroquois, Delamattenoos, and
Shawanofe, and to appoint and acknowledge the above-
mentioned umpire, appointed to watch over the due obferv-
ance of the covenant, thus made between the Brethren and
F 4 ' the
6o Account of Friedensjladt. P. III.
the Indian nations. "Wangomen executed all thefe commif-
fions with much punctuality, and appeared to have laid all en-
mity againft the Brethren afide : he was even commiflioned
by old Pakanke, who alfo pretended to be reconciled to
them, to go in perfon to Friedenshuetten, and invite the
believing Indians to come to the neighborhood of Kalkafkunk
and build a town for themfelves, upon any fpot of ground
they might chufe.
In the mean time our Indians began on the 23d of July to
build a regular fettlement on the weft fide of the Beaver Creek,
erecting block-houfes, and working with fuch perfeverance
and diligence, that before winter, they and their teachers
were fafely and conveniently houfed. Then the ftatutes of
the congregation were made known to the inhabitants, and
every thing regulated as in Friedenshuetten.
Oct. 28th, the miffionary John George Jungman and his
wife arrived from Bethlehem, to have the care of this con-
gregation, and brought a firing of wampom from Colo-
nel Croghan in Pittfburg to Pakanke, defiring him to re-
ceive the mlfTionary and his wife with kindnefs, as they
came merely from benevolent motives to promote the wel-
fare and profperlty of the Indians. This unfolicited kind
interference of the Colonel gave much pleafure to our In-
dians and their teachers, and made a good ImprefTion upon
Pakanke. Brother Senfeman returned to Bethlehem in No-
vember, having been a faithful and ufeful affiftant to Brother
Zeifberger, with whom he willingly fhared diftrefs and dan-
ger.
Both mlfTionarles rejoiced greatly at the gracious vifit-
ation of this country by the Lord. The power of the
Holy Ghoft was remarkably evident during the preaching of
the precious Gofpel of Chrift Jefus, and the heart of one
poor finner after the other was opened, and led to accept of
the gracious invitation, which he gives to all that labor and
are heavy laden. Glikklkan was fo much moved by a dif-
courfe delivered in the daily meeting, that he afterwards
wept aloud on his way home. The heathen were aftonifhed,
that
Ch. III. Jccoiint of Friedensjiadt. 6l
that fuch a noted and valiant captain fliould weep In the pre-
fence of his former acquaintance ; but the Brethren praifed
God for fuch vifible proofs, that the word of the crofs
of Jefus can even break and melt the moft itubborn and
proud heart of a wild Indian. One of Pakanke's fons,
having liftened 'with attention to a fermon, faid : " I have
" underftood all I have now heard, and your words have pe-
" netrated into my heart : now I believe that they are true."
An unbapcized Indian faid to a vifitor : *" Whoever will con-
*' fider but for a moment, mull plainly fee, that the dodlrine
" of the Brethren is true ; and even though our fenfes can-
*' not rightly comprehend its meaning, yet our hearts feel
" fomething of its power, as often as we hear it."
Many people from diilant places, efpecially from She-
nenge, came to hear the comfortable Gofpel, which encou-
rages finners with all their mifery to turn to their Redeemer.
As to Friedensftadt itfelf , the peace of God, brotherly love,
iand a defire to cleave to and love God our Savior, prevailed
moft powerfully in the congregation. The baptized improved
daily in a Chriftian walk and converfation, and greatly valued
their high and heavenly caliing. One of them faid to a ftrange
Indian : " I cannot indeed fpeak much to you at prefent, but
" I will give you an opportunity to hear the precious words
" of our Savior, with which the moft delicious food in the
'* world is not to be compared for fweetnefs;" and then
brought him to the chapel. 'A noted forcerer, who came to fee
Triedensftadt, flood liflening to an Indian Sifter, who was
boldly declaring the Gofpel to fome female vifitors; and after-
wards faid that he had a great inclination to try his leger-
demain tricks upon her, and to do her an injury. When
fhe heard this, fhe faid : " I do not fear his threats : for if
*' any one could even take away my life by fuch pra6lices, I
" fhould then go home to our Savior, where I fnould enjoy
*' much greater happinefs, than in this life." The labor of the
Spirit of God was likevvife fo evident in the children, and the
Lord perfected pralfe even out of the mouths of babes, in fuch
a manner, that the miffionaries were filled with aftonifliment.
Amon^
62 Mejfage of the Delanvarc Chiefs. P. III.
Among the unbaptized and catechumens the awakening was
folid and general, and their longing after grace and the re-
mifhon of fins in the blood of Jefus appeared on all occa-
fions. The miluonaries were more particularly rejoiced to
fee that the above-mentioned Captain, Glikkikan, and a
Chief, called Genailcund, who retired with them from
Gofchgofchuenk, were the mod humble and contrite among
all the unbaptized, confefiing with great opennefs their fin-
ful and abominable manner of living among the heathen,
praying God for mercy and forgivenefs as the mod undeferv-
ing prodigals, and earneftly requefting to be baptized. They
both received this favor on the 24th of December, and re-
mained living and difbinguifhed examples of that divine truth,
that no fmner is fo proud and depraved, but he may be tho- *
roughly humbled, changed, . and converted to God by the
power of the blood of Jefus.
CHAPTER IV.
1771. 1772.
The Indian Congregation refohes to leave Friedens-
huetten and Tfcbechfcbequannink. Troubles in Frie-
denshiietten. Various Accounts. Troubles in Frie-
densfiadt. Brother Zeifberger* s Journey to view
the Country on the Mufkingum. Bidlding of Schoen-
brunn. The Indian Congregation travels from the
Sufquehannah to Friedensfiadt. Building of Gna-
denhueffen on the Mufkingum. Zeifberger vifits the
Shaicafiofe. Pleafing Courfe of the three Congre-
gations.
IN the fpring of 1771, "Wangomen came to Friedens-
huetten, to deliver the above-mentioned meflage from
the principal Chiefs of the Delaware nations to the Indian
congregation, and aifo to invite them and the congregation
in
Ch. IV. Flfitation held by the Brethren Gregor arJ Lorctz. 63
In Tfehechfcheqviannink to the Alleghene, thnt is, to the
country on the Ohio. The Chiefs declared, that they would
receive the believing Indians into their ?.rms as friends, and
permit them to chufe a tradt of land, where they might live
together as Chriftians in peace and fafety; and that they
llaould bring their white teachers with them, who fhould be
confidered as being of the fame color with the Indians.
At the particular requelt of the Chiefs, Brother Zeifbcrgei
gave a letter of recommendation to the deputies, alluring the
Indian congregation, that this invitation concealed no bad
defign, but rather, that the Chiefs, being novv^ truly defirouS
that they and their young people might hear the Gofpel,
wifhed on that account alone that Brethren might relide
among them : our Indians however miftrufted the contents of
this meflage, and therefore gave the following fliort anfwer
to Wangomen and the other delegates : " We rejoice, that
" Pakanke and the other Chiefs have thought on us with fo
*' much kindnefs. But we are as yet too heavy to rife, and
*' when we have lightened ourfelves, we will fend word to
*' the Cliiefs." Some time after Chief Netawatwecs in Ge-
kelemukpechuenk repeated this invitation in a prelang man-
ner, which occafioned otir Indians to coniider more particu-
larly about it, efpecially as the Wyondats had likewife in-
vited them to move to their land on the Ohio, afiliring them,
that they would not fell the ground under their feet, as the
Iroquois had done.
However no refolution was taken, till the month of May,
when Friedenshuetten was vifited by the Brethren Chrifhian
Gregor and John Loretz, who fome time ago arrived from
Europe to hold a vifitation in all the Brethren's fettlcments in
North Anierica. Bifhop Nathanael Seidel accumnanied them
from Bethlehem, a man known and highly refpe£ted by many
of our Indians, who expreffed extraordinary joy at their vifit.
The joy of the two European Brethren w%is great indeed.
They fawhere for the firft time a flock of Chritlian Indians, and
could not fufficiently praife and thank God our Savior, for the
gracious work begun among thefe nations, fupported amid ft
fo
-^4 Vtfitation held by the Brethren Gregor and Loretz. P. III.
fo many and heavy trials, and miraculoufly preferved, al-
though expofed to fo many threatening and imminent dan-
gers.
They devoted their whole time and labor to the fervice of
the two congregations in Friedenshuetten and Tfchechfche-
quannink, converfed with every individual, and delivered fe-
veral powerful difcourfes, efpecially during the Whitfuntide
holidays, the interpreters tranllating their words with great
€xa£lnefs. They baptized feveral Indians, vifited every fa-
mily^ and both their converfation with individuals, their
public miniftry and their benevolent behavior, tended to
the edification and bleffing of all the inhabitants. They
likewife examined into every particular relating to the in-
ward and outward ftate of the miflion, and in this view held
feveral conferences with the milhonaries and the Indian affift-
ants. The above-mentioned invitation given to our people by
the Delawares was alfo maturely confidered, and the confer-
ence, with the concurrence of the Indian congregation, came
to a refolution, that next autumn fome families fhould re-
move from hence to Friedensftadt, that fome regard might
be fhown to the meifage ; but as to the emigration of the
whole congregation, that fhould be confidered and finally
decided in Bethlehem. On the return of thefe vifitors and
their company to Bethlehem, the Indians took leave of them
with the mod cordial expreffions of love and gratitude, re-
commending themfelves to the prayers and remembrance of
all the Brethren in Europe.
David Zeifberger was foon after called from Friedensftadt
to Bethlehem to attend a conference, in which the whole
fituation of the miflion among the Indians was maturely
weighed and confidered. The Brethren were convinced, that
the Indian congregations at Friedenshuetten and Tfchech-
fchequannink would not be able to maintain themfelves long
in thefe places, partly becaufe the Iroquois had fold the land,
and various troublefome dem.ands upon them were con-
tinually renewed, partly on account of a conteft between
the New Englanders and the Indians of Wajoraick, by which
FrledensT
Ch. IV. Falfe Accufation agahijl John Papunhaul. 6^
Friedenshuetten was much difturbed by occafion of its vi-
cinity. Befides this, the Sennekas by their bad behavior
gave our Indians much trouble, the white people being
too apt to fufpeft the latter as accomplices. One of the
mod powerful arguments in favor of their emigration was
this, that the number of European fettlers daily increafed,
both above and below Friedenshuetten, and the rum trade
tended to feduce the young people. A final refolution was
therefore taken, to advife the Indian congregation, to accept
of the propofal repeatedly made to them, to remove to the
Ohio, and to confider it as proceeding from a gracious di-
reftion of the providence of God.
Brother Zeifberger upon his return mentioned this advice
to the Indians at Friedenshuetten and Tfchechfchequannink,
and both congregations refolved to remove in the following
fpring, and firfh to go to Friedensftadt. Some families went
thither immediately, in order to lay out plantations of In-
dian corn, both for themfelves and the congregations that
were to follow them.
During thefe tranfaflions a very painful circumflance hap-
pened at Friedenshuetten. Two wicked men, who bore an im-
placable enmity to John Papunhank, a man of the mod unble-
miftied charadler, came and pretended to have received full
and fatisfadlory information from the Chiefs at Zeninge and
Hallobank, that the faid John Papunhank was a dealer in poi-
fon, and that he had been the occafion of the late fudden deaths
of feveral people, and of thofe epidemical diforders which
raged in the country fome time ago. By this wicked lie
the v/hole fettlement was alarmed, and in a great uproar for
a whole week. Some looked upon him as innocent, but the
greater number were fcrupulous, and a few were fo far mif-
led by the flanderers, that they even joined them and formed
a party, having little lefs in view, than to take away his life.
The miffionary. Brother Schmick, convinced of John Papun-
hank's innocence, took all poffible pains to inform and pa-
cify them, but in vain. He then aflembled the whole con-
gregation, and John Papunhank declared publicly, " that he
66 Falfe Acciifafton agahijl ^foan Paptir.hatii. P. III.
*' never had any poifon in his pcfTefTion, nor even underftood
*' the art of mixing it. That as long as he did not love the
'' Lord Jefus, his whole heart was full of wickedaefs, but that
*^ his foul had been wafiTcd by the blood of Chrifl, and his
"fins pardoned, when he received holy baptifm ; that fmce
" that time, he had belonged to the Lord with foul and body,
*'■ loving him, and intending to love, ferve, and cleave to him
" all his life." By this free and fincere declaration, the greater
number were fully fatisfied, but the above-mentioned party
were rendered more bitter, and even attacked him in the neigh-
borhood of the fettlement, demanding that he fhould either
deliver up his poifon or lofe his life. He appealed with great
calmnefs and compofure to the declaration which he had fo-
lemnly and publicly given, and walked avt'^ay quietly, his ene-
mies not daring to execute their wicked defign. During this
very dangerous period, his heart was filled with confidence, de-
pending upon the fure prote£lion of God. He once faid :
** If the Lord permits, that, by thefe bafe lies, I lofe my
" life, I (hall at once be delivered from all mifery, and go to
*' my Savior. I Ihould only pity my wife and child." His
wife was hov/ever much fupported, and like her hufband
cleaved to our Savior, as the beil friend in every time of need,
who is alfo able and willing to fave. In order fully to prove
his innocence to fuch, who had been difquieted, he fent
two mefl'engers with a belt of wampom to the above-men-
tioned two Chiefs, defiring to know, whether they had ac-
cufed him of fuch abominable practices? They were
aftonifhed at the mefiage, folemnly declaring their total ig-
norance of this wdiole affair, and thus the innocence of John
Papunhank was rendered as notorious as the diabolical malice
of the calumniators. The latter now thought it molt prudent
not to be feen by the Inhabitants of Friedenshuetten, who
moft fincerely fympathized with the unmerited fufferings of
their refpe£led brother. All joined in praifmg the Lord for
this difcovery, which put a ftop to a moll deteftable bufinefs :
but the forrow over thofe brethren who had been fo griev-
oully mifgulded by the above feducers was alfo general.
They
Ch. IV. Account of 'TfchechfchequaJimnk. 6^
They indeed acknowledged their tranfgreflion, and publicly
begged and received tlie pardon of the congregation; but it
was a long time, before they could recover rell and peace of
mind. They ferved as a remarkable example to fliow what
an hideous and aggravated crime the iln of calumny is, in
the eyes of a juft and righteous" God.
In the year 1771 the Sufquehannah overflowed its banks
to fuch a degree, that all the inhabitants of Tfchechfequan-
nink were obliged to fave themfelves in boats, and retire to
the Woods, where they were detained four days. The
repairs of their deluged plantations coft them much
trouble. But the inward courfe of the congregation was
edifying, and proved often a great bleffing both to the un-
baptized and to the numerous vifitors. Nathanael addrefledaii
heathen Indian, who was much concerned about his falva-
tion, to the following eiFetl: *' It is very eafy to gain an happy
'* heart, as foon as you fincerely refoive to part with all fin,
" and believe, v/hat is told you of our Savior: for if you
" alk, you {hall receive. But we are naturally averfe to hu-
" mility and prayer, and therefore receive nothing. I was
" fo formerly : but having frequently heard from the Bre-
*' thren, how happy a ranfomed finner is, I began to pray,
" and perfevered, until our Savior granted me" pardon and
*' happinefs. Nov«^ fince I am baptized, I think I become
*' happier every day ; yea I fometimes feel as if I faw our
*' Savior before my eyes ; for I perceive his prefence fo fen-
*' fibly, that my heart is ready to leap for joy." Samuel ex-
preffed himfelf to the following effecEl : '' I thank our Savior
" daily, that he has brought me to his children. I fee every
*' day more clearly, how well difpofed he was and ftill is to-
*' wards me. Many words in the Bible, and alfo in the hymns,
*' which I heard frequently, but of which I never experienced
*' the power, are now exceeding precious to my foul, and"
*' I rejoice that my knowledge of our Savior increafes.
" Wherever I am, I can fpeak freely to him. I delight to
" behold him in fpirit as crucified for me, for I feel, that
3 *' his
6S Account of Tfchechfchequannw^. P. IIL
" his fufFerlngs and death are capable to deflroy the power
*' of fin within me."
Such energetic expreflions, proceeding from people, who
were lately the moil devoted fervants of fin, encouraged
thofe who were newly awakened, to cry for mercy. Many
of them confefTed with great forrow and compundlion their
crimes and tranfgreffions, and the manner in M^hich they de-
fcribed their ftate was truly moving. For inftance, an
heathen Indian, after hearing a fermon, broke out in thefe
words : " AlaS; what a wretch am I ! I have perfectly un-
*' derftood the wdi'ds of the miffionary, and believe them
" all to be true ; but my heart trembled and quaked for fear,
*' for I fit in the midft of fin and darknefs, and you are in
*' the light." Another faid: *' I now for the firfl time un-
*' derftand that pride is a wicked thing. I ufed to believe ,
*' that I was not proud, but now I feel that I am a very
*' proud man, and my pride has prevented my coming to Je-
** fus, and believing on him with my whole heart." The
fame perfon faid on another occafion : " Brother, I mud
** tell you what happened to me. I hit my foot yefterday
*'- againft a root, and fell •, and feeling myfelf impatient on
" that account, I thought fome one was reproving me in
*' thefe words : ' Confider thy Savior, how patient He is !
*' There thy Creator (lands, beholding the foldiers vi'ho are
" digging the hole for his crofs; he willingly permits them
" to extend his body on the crofs, and to pierce his hands and
" feet with the nails.' This was to me an aftonifliing fight,
" and I could not lleep all night, fo much was I employed
" in contemplating his mercy and love to finners." A boy,
who was very ill, thus addrefled the miffionary : " One thing
*' is ftill wanting : I do not feel that our Savior has waflied
" me from my fins in his blood. If I (hould not receive this
" favor before I die, I fliall not go to him, but be loft for
*^ ever, and yet I wifh to be faved. I therefore pray incef-
" fantly to our Savior, that he would have mercy upon me
" poor child, and wafh me in his precious blood \ then I
" fliall
Ch. IV* Acmmt of Friedeusftadt. 69
" {hall not fear death, but rejoice that I fhall go and be
*' with him for ever." He was foon after baptized, and
received the divine aflurance that his fins were forgiven
through the merits of our Lord's atonement.
In the mean time many people followed the Brethren from
Gofchgofchuenk on the Ohio to the Beaver Creek, feme
of whom fettled in Kaflcaflcunk ; others, who fhowed an
earneft wifh to be converted, and promifed to live in con-
formity to the rules of the congregation, obtained leave to
live at Friedensftadt.
The Brethren were at this time incefTantly troubled by
the moil daring lies, propagated by the favages, v/ho even
counterfeited letters and melfages from the Chiefs to them.
In the beginning of the year 1771, a very peremptory mef-
fage of this kind was brought to Friedensftadt, as coming
from the Chief and council at Gekelemukpechuenk ; - de-
manding that an Indian woman, lately converted to the truth
and baptized by the Brethren, fhould be fent back immedi-
ately, or fhe Ihould be taken away by force. This mef-
fage appearing dangerous in its confequences,' Brother Zeif-
berger himfelf fet out on the 5th of March with three Indian
Brethren for Gekelemukpechuenk. On the road they ex-
perienced great hardfhips in wading through tra£ls of deep
fnow and much water, and did not arrive there until the
13th. They lodged in the houfe of the head-chief Neta-
■Watwees, where they met Math a kind reception, and had
foon an opportunity of preaching Jel"us and him cruciiicd
to the inhabitants, who aifembled in great numbers to hear
the miflionary. Brother Zeifberger tlien requefted a meet-
ing of the council, and read to them the above-mentioned
letter. It was then difcovered, that neither the Chief nor
, the council knew any thing of it, but that one of the coun-
fellors prefent had written it on his own authority, and
figned it with two fi£litious names. Being thus detected,
he was publicly confounded •, the whole council exprefied
great indignation at the contents of the letter, and agi-eed
perfe£\ly with the declaration of tlie mifTionary and the In-
Part III, G dian
7© Zej/herger's Jouru&y to Gehteninlipechuenli. P. Ilf.
dian Brethren, that as they could and would not detain any
Indian in their fettlement againfl his will, either by perfuH-
fion or force, fo no Indian ought to be compelled to leave
them, the Indians being altogether a free people, who in
all things might afl according to their own minds. After
this, Brother Zeilbergcr flaid feveraldays in Gckelemukpe-
chuenk, and found many attentive hearers, but likewlfe
many avowed enemies, who, though they dared not pub-
licly to contradi£l the nufhonary himfelf, raged with immo-
derate fury againfl his Indian alFiftants and their teftlmony.
One fald to Ifaac, " What do you come here for, fpreading
*' your new do£lrines among our people ? I have a good mind
*' to kick you all together out of doors. And even if all the
*' Indians fliould embrace your do£lrine, I certainly would
*' not." This oppofition arofe chiefly from the infinuations
of the above-mentioned Indian preachers, who had fo flre-
nuoufly recommended emetics, as a fure mode of cleanfing
from fin, that, in this town, the practice was general. The
mifllonary endeavored to convince the people, that though
an emetic might benefif their ftomachs, yet it could never
cleanfe their hearts ; but that the blood of Jefus Chrift the
Son of God, applied in faith to our fm-fick fouls, was alone
able to cleanfe and change them. Having recommended
thefe people in fervent prayer to the mercy of God our Sa-
vior, he returned with his company to Friedensftadt.
He had fcarcely left Gekelemukpechuenk, when a re-
nowned heathen preacher arrived and fpread great confu-
fion among the people by declaring, that the mifllonary was
even known to the white people as a noted feducer of
the Indians, who, whenever he had drawn a large party
afide, fent them over the great ocean and fold them for flaves,
where they were harnefl'cd to the plough and whipped on
to their work. By thefe lying infinuations he gained fuch
an afcendency over the timid minds of the Indians, that he
foon became the leader of a large party, and the Brethren
were foon convinced, that to plant the Gofpel in the country,
to which the congregations at Friedenshuetten and Tfchech-
fchequannink
Gh. iV. Account of Frjedemfcailt* -7 i
fchequannlhk were .now invited, would be attended with
great difficulties. Brother Zeifberger fays in one of his let-
ters : " Here God muft work a miracle, for Satan has many
*' ftrong holds, which he has well fortified."
In Kalkafkunk the enmity againfi; the Brethren be-
came more general," cfpecially as the lies fpread in Ge-
kelemukpechuenk, foon found theiT* way thither, and
though it afterwards happened, that their aiithof, an Indian
preacher, loft his fenfes, and ran about thfe woods raving
jnad, yet the enmity againft the Brethren and all who at-
tended their meetiligs, did not fubfide in the leaft.
'To this, we inay add the dreadful rumours of war, heard
'about this time*, for which feverai murders, committed by the
white people, feemed to hold oiit fufficient provocation.
Many people were on thefe accounts led to fcrfake their
dwellings, and to remove to Kafkaikunk and its neighbor-
hood. Thus Friedensftadt was foon furrOunded by troops
of favageg, from whom nothing but difturbance could be
expedled -, which, alas, they too foon experienced. Some,
who ftaid only a few days at Friedensftadt, proved exceeding
troublefome by their drunken and riotous behavior, and even
threatened to murder all the inhabitants and deftroy the fet-
tlement.
Brother Zeift)erger, who by this time was well knowri
among various Indian tribes, was a marked objetl of their
hatred and malice, and frequently in danger of being fhof.
Some malicious people came one evening very late to Frie-
densftadt, and would pofitively compel the inliabitants to %^t
drunk. When they found all their efforts vain, they threat-
ened to murder firit tlie teachers and then the whole con-
gregation, and made fuch an hideous roar, that the Indian
Sifters fled into the woods, and the Brethren were obliged
to keep a ftrong and ftricl watch around the du'cUino- of the
imiffionaries.
Notwithftanding all thefe troubles, the work of God pre-
tailed and increafed in Frie(!ensP:?.dt, and the connregation
grew it! grace and number. May the 27th, i 77 J , the found-
f ^ 2 atiou"
72 Account of FricdensJIadt. P. III.
ation-ftone of the chapel was laid, and on the 2oth of June
the building was dedicated ^knto the Lord, with praife,
thankfgiving, and pvajj^er, as a place, v/here the Gofpcl fhould
be preached to the poor. The number of conftant hearers
daily increafed ; among thefe, there was one who had loft his
fcalp in the war, and one of the fame party which deftroyed
the Brethren's houfe on the Mahony \v. the year 1 755. This
man was often fo moved in hearing the Gofpel, that he (hed
floods of tears. Another' vifitor expreiTed a great defire to
know, which was the true way to happinefs. He faid : " The
*' Quakers maintain that their doftrine is true, the Englifb
" church afierts the fame of theirs, and the Brethren fay,
" that the word they preach, is the word of God." The
Indian afTiflants told him, that . if he was truly defirous to
be informed, he fhould come to Jefus, who, though God
bleffed for ever, became a man and had been wounded for
our tranfgreflions. He would then foon learn to know him,-
and receive a certainty fii his heart concerning the way to
falvation : but that afterwards it was required, to be obe-
dient to his commandments.
After much oppofition and hefitation, Chief Pakanke,
hitherto an enemy of the Gofpel, refolved at laft to go to
Friedensfladt. He ftaid there feveral days, heard the Gof-
pel with great attention, changed his fentiraents, and even
exhorted his children to go to the Brethren, hearken to their
words, and believe on Jefus.
October 21ft, Brother John Heckenwaelder, who was
appointed affiilant miffionary, and November 27th, the four
families expe£le"d from Frredenshuetten, arrived fafe at
Friedensfladt. All rejoiced at the refolution of the two
concfref^atlons to follow them hither, and willingly oiFered
their afhftancc in making plantations and planting Indian-
corn for them.
As the enmity of the greater part of the inhabitants of
Kaflcaikunk and other favage ncnghbors rather increafed, and
the latter encroached more and more upon the borders of
Friedeaslladt, tlic believing Indians petitioned the Chief
and
Ch. IV. Zei/bergers Journey to the li'u'Jkingum. 73
and council at Kaflcaflcunk for prote£iion, but were told,
that their requeft could not be granted. This v/as in the be-
ginning of the year 1772. At the fame time the Brethren re-
ceived a kind meifage from the Chief and council at Gekele-
niukpechuenk, inviting them and the two congregations at
Friedenshuetten and Tfchechfchequonnink to come and fettle
in their countrj', near the river Mullcinit^um, upon whatever
tratls of land they might chufe. Upon mature confidera-
tion, it was found moft expedient, that Brotlier Zeifberger
ihouid firft take a journey to view the country en the Muf-
kingum, and there fix upon a fpot fuitable for a fettlement,
that he Ihould then confult and fettle every thing reir.ting
to this affair with the Chiefs at Gekelemukpechuenk, and
foon after remove to the new place with a few families from
Friedensftadt, and eflablifli a regular miflion there; but
that the congregations at Friedenshuetten and Tfchechfche-
quannink fhould firft go and dwell in or near Friedensitadt,
until it fliould be proper for them to move to the Mufkin-
gum.
Brother Zeifberger fet out on this expedition on the 1 1 th
of March 1772, with a few Indian Brethren, and on the
1 6th difcovered a large tracl of land fituatcd not far from
the banks of the Muikingum, about thirty miles from Geke-
lemukpechuenk, with a good fprjng, a fmall lake, good plant-
ing grounds, much gamiC, and every other convenience for
the fupport of an Indian colony. This place v/as ab::ut
feventy miles from Lake Erie and feventy-five miles v/efl
of Friedensftadt. It appeared, that formerly a large for-
tified Indian town ftood on this fpot, fome ramparts and the
ruins of three Indian forts being ftiil vifible. After this dif-
covery he went to Gekelemukpechuenk, and informed the
council that the converted Indians had thankfully accepted
of their invitation, defiring that the traft of land, he had
jufl: now difcovered, might be given to them. In anfwer
to this requeft he heard with great pleafure, that this was
the very fpot of ground deftined by the Chiefs and council
for them. They alfo determined, in a folemn manner, that
G3 all
74 Building of Schoenbi'Uftn. P. III.
all the l?.nds, from the entrance of the Gekelemukpechuenk
Creek into the river Mufkingum to Tufcarawi fhould be-
long to the converted Indians, ?ind that no other Indians
{liould be permitted tQ fettle upon them ; further, that all
Indians dwelling on the borders of this country, ihould be
diredled, to behave peaceably towards them and their teach-
ers, and neither dillurb their worfliip, nor prevent people
from going to them to hear the word of God.
Zeifberger praifed the Lord for his gracious help in the
execution of this important commiffion, and having again vi-
fited the above-mentioned country, took poffeflion of it in
the name of the Chriftian Indians, who were uncommonly
rejoiced by the account of his fuccefs, given on bis return to
Frledensftadt.
Five families, confiding in all of twenty-eight perfons,
■were now appointed to begin the new fettlement, and werq
willing to undertake it. Brother Zeilberger fet out with
them on the 14th of April, and after a fafe but tedious jour-
ney arrived May 3d at the new land on the Mufkingum.
The day following they marked out their plantations, ere6:-
ed field-huts, and were all diligently employed in clearing land
and planting.
Upon the news of the arrival of the Brethren in Gekele-
mukpechuenk and its neighborhood, the enemies of the Gof-
pel were fo much alarmed that many of them left the place,
not being able to bear a doftrine, fo diredly oppofite to their
heathenifh abominations and finful manner of living. A
neighboring chief even forfook his village, and with all his
people moved into a diftant country.
Brother ZeifbergQr began immediately to preach the Gof-
pel in this new fettlement, to which he gave the name of
Schoen-brunn (the Beautiful Spring). Many attentive hear-
ers came from Gekelemukpechuenk and its neighborhood,
and fome were fo captivated by the word of the Gofpel, that
before any houfes could be built, they earneftly begged leave
to Hay and fettle. This was granted, but their relations foon
came and wanted to take them away by force. By this op*
portunity
~Ch. IV. Account of Frledetuhueitcn and Tfchechfcheqtianninh. 75
portunity however, they likewife heard the Gofpel, and felt
the power of the word of God fo forcibly, that they went
away with impreflions, very different to thofe they brought
with them. A vifitor declared, that he had been feeking the
way to falvation many years, and that v/henever he found In-
dians who appeared to know more than himfelf, he gave
them prefents, and belts of wampom, hoping that they
would inftruft him, yet hitherto he had not been able to
learn with certaiiity, how he might be faved. The af-
fiftants told him, that he now might find what he had
fo long been feeking in vain : nor need he bring any pre-
fents, for they would inftru6l him for nothing. Another
faid to Ifaac Glikkikan, " You was a captain, before you be-
*' lieved the Gofpel, and you are a captain flill. This you
" cannot deny, but how was it poflible for you to remain a
"captain, after you believed?" — "True," anfwered Ifaac,
*' I was formerly a captain, but I was always conquered. Sin
*' always overcame me; and yet a brave captain ought never
*' to be overcome, but (liould come off vi£torious. Though I
" frequently refoived not to get drunk, I could not leave it ofF,
" but was obliged to be a flave of the devil. But now I iirll
" know what it is to be a brave foldier, and through Chrifl I
" can always overcome : fin has loft its former power to force
*' me into its fervice, for now I defire no more to attend any
" of your feafts', I have no relilh for them, having found
" fomethlng far better, which I wlfh to fee you likewife In
" pofleffion of." June 27th, tl^e Brethren in Schoenbrunn
partook of the Holy Com.munion for the firft time there, and
July 15th the fite of the new fettlement was chofen and mark-
ed out.
In the mean time the congregations In Friedenshuetten
and Tfchechfchequannink prepared for their emigration.
The Chiefs of the Iroquois were much dlfpleafed wlien they
heard it, and now endeavored to make our Indians forget
their treachery, by giving them fair words and promifes,
declaring in their own ftyle, " that they would in futu e be
*' only one body and one vein with the Indians on the Saf-
G 4 « que-
'i6 Account of Fr'iedenshuetten andTfchechfchequannin'k. P. III.
** quehannah, and remove every former grievance, in order to
*' prevent that from taking place, of vi^hich they had heard a
" Httle bird fpeak," But our Indians anfwered, that tljey
came too late, informing them of their refolution to go to
the country on the Ohio. At this they exprefled much for-
row, but aflured the believing Indians that they virould re-
main their friends. Our Indians promifed the . fame on
their part. The internal courfe of the congregations in
both places was at that time very pleafing and edifying. The
children w^ere not only remarkably diligent in their fchools,
but alfo exprelTed great love to our Savior, frequently .
meeting of their o-wn accord to fing his praifes. Moft of the
believers were intent upon being fo rninded in all things, as
Jefus Chrift was when on earth, and fought to walk in his
fteps. A brother faid one day to the mifiionary : " I cannot
*' exprefs what I feel, when I meditate upon our Savior, as a
*' little child, or as a boy, w^hen fitting among the do£lors in
" the temple ; as a teacher, or as laboring hard for our falva-
*' tion, and dying on the crofs. All is important to one, and
" v/hen I con,fider thefe things, I perceive a pecuUar emotion
** within me."
As the damage fuflained by our Indians in quitting Frle-
denshuetten was very great, and it could be proved, that they
were compelled by the fale of their land to take this ftep, the
Brethren applied to the governor at Philadelphia for redrefs,
which, fome time after, was in part granted. Previous to
this emigration, the miflionary, Brother Schmick, who had
fpent many years in the fervice of the Indian congregation,
with unremitting faichfulnefs, obtained leave to return to Beth''
lehem to reft fome time from his labors. May 5th, he and his
wife took an affectionate leave of their beloved congregation,
and foon after fet out for Bethlehem. The miffionary
John Rothe and his v/ife .were appointed to attend the
Indians on their journey, and accepted of this call with pleai-
fure.
May 23 d, Brother Ettwein arrived from Bethlehem at
Friedenshuetten to accompany that congregation on their
4 way
Ch. IV. Emigration from Fi'iedenshueiten^ ^V. 7y
way to Frifdensftadt, and brought ieveral prefents from the
Brethren in Bethlehem to the Indians, which were ufeful to
thein on the journey.
June 6th, the congregation partook of the Holy Commu-
nion for the lafl: time in Friedenshuetten, and celebrated
Whitfuntide with blefFing. when John Papunhank, who Was
the firft that had been baptized here, had the fatisfatSlion to
fee the lait baptifm in this place adminiftered to his daughter,
to the great joy of the whole congi-egation. June i rth, all
being ready for the journey, the congregation met for the lafl
time at Friedenshuetten, when the miffionary reminded them
of the great favors and bleflings, received from God in this
place, and then offered up praifcs and thankfgivings to him,
with fervent fupplications for his peace and protedtion on the
journey. The company confiUed. of two hundred and forty-
one perfons from Friedenshuetten and-Tfchechfchequannink,
and proceeded with great chearfulnefs in reliance upon the
Lord.
Brother Ettwein condu£led thofe who. went by land, and
Brother Rothe thofe by v.'ater, who were the greater imm-
ber. The tedioufnefs of this journey was a pra61:ical
fchool of patience for the miffionaries. The fatigue alfo at-
tending the emigration of a whole congregation, with all
their goods and cattle, in a country like North Am_crica,
can hardly be conceived by any one, who has not ex-
perienced it, much lefs can it be defcribed in a proper man-
ner: The land-travellers had feventy head of oxen, and a
ftill greater number of horfes to care for, and fuftained in-
credible hardfhips in forcing a v/ay for themfelves and their
bealls through very thick woods and fwamps of great extent,
Jjeing dire£led only by a fmall path, and that hardly dif-
cernible in lome places, fo that it appears almoft impoiTible
to conceive how one man could work his way and mark a
path through fuch clofe thickets and immenfe woods, one
of which he computed to be about fixty miks in length.
It happened, that when they were thus rather creeping than
walking through the thick woods, it rained almoft incelfantly.
In
"7? Emigration from Friedenshuetten P, IIT.
In one part ®f the country they were obliged to wade thirty-fix
tijTies through the windings of the river Munfy, befides fuf*
fering other hardfliips. However, they attended to their daily
worfliip as regularly as circumftances would permit, and had
£i-equently (braigers among them, both Indians and -white
people 5 who were particularly attentive to the Englifh dif-
courfes delivered by Brother Ettwein. This circumflancc
alone was fuScient to comfort the Brethren amidfl all their
fatigue and trouble, as they had no greater fatisfaftion, than,
when opportunities offered, to tell their fellow-^nen from the
experience of their own hearts, how happy that man is, who
beUeves in Jefus, and receives power from him, to become ^
child of God. The party which went by water were every
right obliged to feek a lodging on fhore, and fufFered much from
the cold. Soon after their departure from Friedenshuetten the
mealies broke out among them, and many fell fick, efpecially
the children. The attention due to the patients nccelTarily in-
creafed the fatigue of the journey. In fome parts they were
molefted by inquifitive, and in others by drunken people.
The many falls and dangerous rapids in theSufquehannah oc-
cafioned imrqenfe trouble and frequent delays. However by
the mercy of God they paiTed fafe by Shomokin, and then
upon the weft arm of the river by Long Ifland to Great
Ifland, where they joined the land-travellers on the 29th of
June, and now proceeded all together by land. When they
arrived at the mountains they met with great difficulties in
croffing them, for not having horfes enough to carry all the
baggage, moft of them were obliged to carry fome part. In one
of the valleys they were fuddenly caught in a moft tremendous
ftorm of thunder and lightning with violent rain. During a
eonfiderable part of the journey, the rattlefnakes kept them in
conftant alarm. As they lay in great numbers either near or
in the road, Brother Ettwein happened to tread upon one
with fifteen rattles, by v/hich he was fo frightened, that, ac-
cording to his own account, he could hardly venture to ftep
forward for m.any days after, and every ruftling leaf made
him dread the approach of a rattlefnake. Thefe venomous
creatures
Cli. IV, and 'Tfchechfchequannmk. 79
creatures deftroyed feveral of the horfes by their bite, but
tlie oxen were faved by being driven in the rear.
The moil troublefome plague both to man and beaft, ef-
pecially in paffing through the woods, v/as a kind of infeft,
called by the Indians Ponk, or Living Jjhts, from their being
fo fmali that they are hardly vifible, and their bite as painful
as the burning of red-hot allies. As foon as the evening
fires were kindled, the cattle, in order to get rid of thefe in-
fects, ran furioully towards the fire, crowding into the
fmoke; by which our travellers were much difturbcd both in
tlieir fleep and at meals. Thefe tormenting creatures were
met with in the greatefh numbers in a tra(£l of country, which
the Indians call " apiece avoided by all men J'' The following
circumftance gave rife to this name: About thirty years ago
an Indian afFe£ling the manner of an hermit, lived upon a
rock in this neighborhood, and ufed to appear to travellers
or hunters in different garbs, frightening fome, and mur-
dering others. At length a valiant Indian Chief was fo for-
tunate as to Ojrprize and kill him. To this true account,
fabulous report has added, that the Chief having burnt the
hermit's bones to alhes, fcattered them in the air throughout
the forest -, that they then took a living form, and became
ponks. In another part of the foreft, the fires and ftorms had
caufed fuch confufion among the trees, that the wood was
almofl impenetrable. Brother Ettwein was once in great
danger of his life by a fall from his horfe. Sifter Rothe
with her child fell feveral times from her horfe, and once
with her foot dangeroufly entangled in the ftirrup. Another
time fire fell into a deep morafs.
borne perfons departed this life during the journey, and
among them a poor cripple, about ten or eleven years old,
who was carried by his mother in a balket on her back. When
he perceived his end approaching, he begged moft earneftly
to be baptized. His requeft was granted, foon after which
he ended a life of mifery, and departed rejoicing. Our tra-
vellers were fometimes under the neceffity of ftaying a day or
two in one place, to fupply themfelves with the neceflaries
of
So Emigraiion from Friedenshaetten. P. III.
of-l3e» They ihot upwards of one hundred and fifty deer
during the courfe of the journey, and found great abundance
of fifh in the rivers and brooks. They likewife met witli
a peculiar kind of turtle, about the fize of a goofc, witia a
long neck, pointed head, and eyes like a dove. It had fcales
on its back, and on the lower part of the belly. All the reft
ef its covering was foft, refembling leather of a liver color.
July 29th, they left the mountains and arrived on the banks
the Ohio, where they immediately built canoes, to fend the
aged and infirm with the heavy baggage down the river,
Tvi'o days after they were met by Brother Heckenwaelder
and fome Indian Brethren with horfes from Friedensfladtj,
by whofe affiilance they arrived there on the 5th of Auguft,
and were received with every mark of: affection by the
whole congregation. They now joined in praifing and
thanking the Lord for the grace and proteftion, received from
him during this tedious journey of eight weeks, for having
fupported them under the unufual fatigue and hardfhips at-
tending it, for giving them health and ftrength to bear
many grievous trials, and for preferving them from famine,
which they feared mod at fetting out, and from innumerable
dangers and unforefeen accidents, and chiefly for granting
them to continue in love and peace.
The prefervation of the Indian congregation by God our
heavenly Father, was at this time moil admirably difplayedj
and the miffionaries acknov,'ledged with humility and gra-
titude, that neither the inhabitants of Friedensftadt nor their
numerous guefts lacked any thing, but, contrary to the ap-
prehcnfions of a great many, had enough and to fpare.
The travellers received likewife a prefent of one hundred
Spanifh dollars from the friends, commonly called Quakers
in Philadelphia, with which they provided a fupply of bread
foi- future neceflity.
Soon after their arrival in Friedenslladt, Brother Zeif-
berger came from Schoenbrunn, andfeveral conferences were
held concerning the miiTion in general. The miflioriaries and
their Indian afliilants were alfo employed in revifing all the
tranf-
Ch.'IV. Account cf Schoenbi'unii. 8 1
tranflafcions of different parts of the Scriptures and hymns
naade in the Delaware language. A conference of Indian af-
iiftants was likewife appointed for each fettlement.
Augull 19th, the Brethren Ettwein, Zeilberger, and Heck-
enwaeider went to Schoenbrunn, where they arrived on the
23d. The former, in his report, exprefled great pJeafure in fee-
ing a country fo pleafmg in every point of view, and fo richly
provided with walnut and locuft trees ; but Hill more in be-
holding the new fettlement Schoenbrunn, begun under fuck
favorable and promifing circumftances. Brother Zeifberger
being taken ill, Brother Ettwein v/ent with the deputies, ap-
pointed by the Indian Brethren, to Gekelemukpechuenk, to
procure renewed alTurances of proteflion from the council.
The inhabitants of tiais place had juft received feventy gallons
of rum, and were engaged in a drunken frolic, when the news
of the arrival of the miffionary and the deputies came to the
Chief. He immediately gave orders to defiil:, and after they
had regained their fobriety by a found lleep, called a counciJ^
in which the deputies mentioned the arrival of the two con-
gregations of Friedenshuetten and Tfchechfchequannink in
the ufual folemn manner 5 informing them that they intend^
ed to build one or perhaps two fettlements befides Schoen*
brunn. The fpeaker of the embafly, John Papunhank, took
this opportunity, to give the council a full explanation of the
fentiments, conftitution, do6lrine^ and wcrfliip of the con-
verted Indians. He did this in a folemn and manly flyle, re-
lating how he had lived formerly, and how God had fnown
mercy to him. The anfwer was kind, and a promife given
that in return an embafly fliould be fent to Schoenbrunn.
At Schoenbrunn the Brethren Ettwein and Zeilberger
greatly rejoiced at the marvellous difpenfation of God owt
Savior, who had thus placed his Indian flock as a cauclie
upon a candleftick in the midfl: of the Delaware country,
and in the neighborhood of the Shawanofe and Hurons.
Brother Ettwein then returnctt to Bethlehem, by way of
Friedensrtadt, with the moft pleaHng profpc(5ts for futurity.
Some
&2 Buildmgcf Gnadenhuettetn onthi Mii/klngum. P. Ill,
Some time after a great part of the Indian congregation
Went from Friedenslladt to the Mufkingum, and built a feZ-
tlement about ten miles below Schoenbrunn, which they
called Gnadenhuetten.
During the building of thefe two places, which waa coil-
dufted with great chearfulnefs, Brother Zeifberger with two
Indian Brethren made the firll joirrncy Into the country of
the Shawanofe, who were generally confidered as the mofl:
favage among the Indian nations. In the firft vUlage, they
called at the houfe of a fon of the before-mentioned Chief
Paxnous: (See Part II. p. 157.) Here they were kindly re-
ceived, and their hoft paid great attention to theGofpel, declar-
ing afterwards, that he was convinced, that the mifTionary's
dodlrine was true, pointing out the right road to falvation j
that the Shawanofe had been long fbrivlng to find out
the way of life^ but that they muft own with regret, thi^t,
all their labors and refearches had been -in vain-, that they
had therefore loft all courage, not knowing what they (hould
further do to obtain happluefs. This man fpoke the Dela-
ware language fluently, and- it was therefore very agreeable
and ufeful to the Brethren, that he offered to accompany
them through the different towns which they intended to vifir.
"When they came to the chief town of the Shawanofe, he
advifed them to take up their abode with the heathen teacher,
as his influence among the people was very great. This
man received the Brethren very civilly, and when upon his
inquiry into the aim of their vifit, Brother Zeifberger an-
fvvered, that he brought him the words of eternal life, he re-
plied : " This is what wc want, and we will hear you with,
" pleai'ure." An houfe v/as immediately fitted up, and both
the miilionai-y and his Indian companions found here a defir*
:iblc opportunity to make known to a great number of atten-
tive hearers, moft of whom underftood the Delaware Ian-
guagCy that God hath no pleafure in the death of the wicked,
but that the wicked turn frc "i his way, believe on the Lord
Jefus Chrin:, and live. The heathen teacher liftened in filence
to this precious word for feme days, but at length, cot able
to
Ch. IV. Brother Zclfcerger vlftts the Shawanofe. ^3
to contain the emotions of his heart, he made the following
declaration to the miflionary : " I have not been able to fleep
*' all night, for I am continually meditating upon your words,
*' and will now open to you my whole heart : ^I believe that
" all you preach is truth* A year ago I became convinced
" that we are altogether finful creatures j and that none of
*' our good works, will fave us : but we did not know,
*' what to do, to gain eternal falvation. I have therefore
*' always comforted my people, that fomebody would come
" and {how us the true way to happinefs, for we are not id
" the right way, and even the day before your arrival, I dc-
*' fired them to have but a little patience, and that a teacher
" would certainly come. Now you are come, and I verily
*' believe, that God has fent you to make his word known
"tons."
The Brethren having thus preached Jefus Chrift as the
light of the world in this benighted country wdth great chear-
fulnefs, and being upon the point of taking leave, Brother
Zeifberger and his company received the following meflage
from the Chiefs and council, the Indian teacher being
fpeaker : " Brother, we rejoice that you have been with us,
*' and brought the word of God, which we have Iieard with
*' pleafuve. We fend to let you know, what we have una-
" nimoufly refolved upon in council. The women indeed
"were not prefent, being now engaged in gathering iu
" their crops, but that does not fignify, for what we agree
" to, that we knov/ will be :alfo agreeable to them. We
*' have therefore refolved, that from this time, we will re-
*' ceive the word of God, and live in conformity to it.
*' This we fpeak not with our mouths only, but alfo with
" our hearts. We therefore defire and pray, that not only
" believing Indians, but alfo white teachers would dwell
" among us, that they may teach us how to be faved. We
** Iay> this requeft before you, and though we are a bad
" people, do not defpife us, but grapt our petition." The
miffionary was aftoniihed at a mefTage of fuch import,
from a town of the Shawanofe, and promifed with pleafure,
to
$4 Account of Schoenbruntti V. IIL
to mention their requeil to his brethren at Bethlehem, but
defired them maturely to ccafider, whether they were in
carneft, in wifhing to live conformably to the dilates of
the Gofpel ; adding, that if a miffionary fhould come anH
refide among them, the heathen manner of living muft be
entirely abandoned, with all ceremonies belonging to it*
They declared not only their M-illingnefs to part with all
things in preference to the Gofpel, but affured him, that
they would build a new town, where only thofe fhould refide
■who had refolved to believe in God. Zeifberger then in-
quired of them, whether they might take fuch a flep, with-
out confulting the other Chiefs of the Shawanofe tribe, and
their grandfather theDelaware nation ? But they affirmed, tlia't
having long fought the way to eternal life, they had already
feparated themfelves both from the above-mentioned Chiefs
and from the Delawares, and were perfedlly independent.
Brother Zeifoerger returned with his company to Schoen-
brunn, highly pieafed with the fuccefs of his journey. Both
here, at Gnadenhuetten, and at Friedensftadt, the Chrill-
mas-holidays were celebrated with particular bleffing, and
young and old were filled with joy, in the contemplation of
the meritorious incarnation of God our Savior. Among the
numerous vifitors was another of thofe favages xvho had
murdered our Brethren and Sillers on the Mahony, Novem-
ber 24, I755. He flaid a week at Schoenbrunn, heard the
word of Chrift our Redeemer with attention, and was told,
that all who come to him by faith, will be received and not
caft out. An Indian aiTiftant clofed his converfation with
another heathen viHtor in the following manner : " Why
" fhould we not believe ? for the word which is here
*' preached, proves itfelf to be truth within us.*' Another
added, " That is certainly true j for as foon as I fought
" the Lord with niy whole heart, I found him, and what-
" ever I allied of him, he gave unto me j fo thatlincreafed in
" happinefs, and my heart burns fometimes like a flame,
" for love towards him." A vifitor faid : " Hitherto I
" have only heard^ but now I believe, that my Creator be-
« cams
Ch. IV. Cjmidenhuctten, and Fncckfis/ladt. 85
" came a man and flied his blood for me. I now dcfire to be
" cleanfed by that blood, for I cannot live withiut it." A
child about ten years of age, having fpent a whole night in
tears, vi^as aflced whether it was ill ? It anfwered : '' No, I
*' have no pain, but feel myfelf loft, and am like a bird
*' vvithouL air." One of the unbaptized faid ; " As I ilood
" before our Savior, crying for comfort and medilating iipoji
*' the name of Jefus, it was as if in fpirlt I faw' my Savior
" (landing before me, with th.e marks of his wounds in
*' hands, feet, and fide ; I then felt my heart much com-
** forted." Michael faid: " I feel that our Savior has made
" his abode within me. Ah, how happy am I, I can only weep
*' for joy and devote myfelf anew to liim." Eve declared
that (he had never yet fpent Chrillmas fo happily, adding,
" I have gained a better infight into that great myflery, that
" God was manifert in the flefli." Abraham, a venerable
old man, faid; " My heart is full of joy. How happy are
*' they who devote themfelves wholly unto the Lord !"
CHAPTER v.
1773- 1774-
Some AccQuni of Scboenhrunn and Gnadenhuetten. The
Believers quit FriedensJiadU Extrnal Troubles,
Brother Schmick returns to the Mijjion, Brother
Zeijhergers fecond 'Journey to the Shawanofe, An
Indian War occafions many Troubles to the Congre^a-,
tion, but does not dijiurh their internal peaceful Courfe.
'The Delawares refolve by afolemn A6t of Council
to receive the G of pel.
THE congregations at Schoenbrunn and Gnadenhuetten
being furrour.ded by favage tribes, were ooliged to
walk with circumfpe^lion, left, either their young people or
Part III. H newly
86 Acxotuit of Schoenbrunn, ^c. P. III.
newly baptized converts, ftiould be feduced by the deceit-
ful intrigues of their heathen neighbors, or the others fhould
be drawn into the political affairs of the Chiefs.
As a ftri£l conformity to the rules and orders already
agreed upon and introduced into former fettlements, was
allowed to be the beft prefervative againft the above-men-
tioned dangers, the inhabitants of Schoenbrunn and Gna-
denhuetten renewed in January 1773 their refolution to ad-
here to them, the miflionaries having previoufly explained,
that they fliould never confider thefe rules as a contrivance
made to lord it over them, but only as wholefome advice,
approved by experience to be mofl beneficial to the fettle-
ments; that on the other hand it was evident, that if
they were not attended to, mifchief would certainly follow :
that the believing Indians ought on that account to be more
ftritl in watching over their due obfervance than their
teachers, and that all who refufed to conform, and perfiftcd
in their difobedience, fhould be removed from the fettle-
ments. This was unanimoufly agreed to, and faithfully
©bferved.
The daily worfhip, the conferences, fchools, attendance
upon vifitors, provifion for the poor and fick, and every
requifite for the profperity of the congregation, was re-
gulated in the fame manner as formerly in other fettle-
ments.
Many journies were now made to Gekelemukpechuenk
both from Gnadenhuetten and Schoenbrunn, and the tefti-
mony of our Indians concerning the elBcacy of the atone-
ment made by Jefus Chrjft, was a lafting bleffing to many
of its inhabitants. Great numbers of vifitors came likewife
from this place, to whom the Gofpel was preached by the
mifTionaries and their Indian alTiftants, which proved a
word of life and confolation to all thofe, who received it
in faith. A Chief, called Echpalawehund, heard it with
fuch convidlion, that he refolved to renounce heathenifm
and to live with the Brethren. But being a man much ho-
nored and followed by a large party, his fudden refolution
occafiom:d
Ch. V. Debates at Gehelaniiipechutnh Sj
occafioned great confufion in the town. Some adverfaries
fhowed their enmity without any referve, and infinuated,
that the miflionaries fhould be baniftied the Indian country,
as difturbers of the peace, adding, that formerly they had
lived in peace and quietnefs according to the good old Indian
way, but now they were told that this and that cuftom was
linful, and that even their facrifices were not acceptable
unto God. The other party held a council three days fuc-
ceiTively, and refolved at laft, that they would all change
their manner of livings prohibit drunkennefs and other
common vices, not fuffer any white traders to enter the
town, as they introduced many new fins among them j
ftave the cafics of the rum traders, appoint fix men to pre-
ferve good order, and, without the aid of mlffionaries,
live exactly after the way of the believing Indians, and
then neither Chief Echpalawehund nor any other perfon
among them need leave the town to live with the Brethren.
But Echpalawehund, who by this time was acquainted with
the true fource of all evil, endeavored to explain to them, that
if they wifned to be delivered from its power, they mud
turn to Jefus Chrift, and that otherwife their refolutions,
though good in themfelves, would be all in vain, as they
had no ftrength to put them into execution. However, to
flaow that they were in good earneft, they began by feizing
upon ten caflcs of rum belonging to a travelling trader,
which they ftove in the open ftreet. But alas, before a
longtime had elapfed, thefe good refolutions proved abortive,
and they were as drunken as ever.
In the mean time the fituation of the congregation at
Friedensftadt became more alarming than ever. The
encroachments of the favages occafioned daily more per*
plexity and trouble, and the pernicious confequences of the
rum-tnide became at length infuppovtable. Sometimes the
fiivages would bring a great quantity of rum clofe to Friedens-
ftadt, and there drink and rave like madmen. In this flate
of intoxication they frequently entered the fettlement, and
the inhabitants were obliged to fallen their fhutters and burn
H 2 candles
88 Troubles at FiiedensJIadt, P. HI,
candles by day, as the drunken lavages broke all windows
that were left open. It was certainly owing to the gracious
providence of God alone, that the fettlement fufFered fo little
and was not burnt down •, for it happened feveral times, that
when they were fully determined to do mifchief, they quar-
relled among themfclves, fo that inftead of injuring the bcr
lieving Indians and their teachers, they fell upon each other
with their knives, and many an one came off with a mangled
face. Yet fome forced open feveral doors in the place, by
throwing large flones at them ; tlien entering the lioufes, they
brandifhed their arms, threatening to murder every foul liv-
ing J and our Indians were at laft obliged, againfi; their inclin-
ation, to feize upon feveral of thefe rioters and keep them
bound, till they get fober, left they fliould proceed to greater
ncls of violence. One day a favage came running like a
madman into the fettlement, exclaiming that he would kill
the white man. Ke proceeded full fpeed to Brother Rothe's
houfe, burfb open the door, and entered the room like an
enraged wild beaft. The mifiionary's wife v/as exceffively
terrified, fnatched up her child and fled, but the milhonary,
who was then confined to his bed by illnefs, fat up in the bed
and in filence looked with great undauntednefs at the favage,
which fo much difcompofed him, that he (topped fhort, and
the Indian Brethren, haftening to their teacher's relief, feized
and bound him with cafe.
The whole congregation bemoaned the fate of a young
unbaptized jnan, the fon of one of our Indian Brethren, who
fuffered himfelf to be feduced to accompany fome favages to
Kafkalkunk, where he got drunk, and in endeavoring, in
company with another, to crofs the Beaver Creek, fell in, the
ice breaking under him. lie thrice attempted to lave himfelf,
but in vain j at lall pronouncing thefe words, " It feems I
" tnufi die, and I iv'ill die," was forced by the current under
the ice and drowned.
Thefe circumftances, which admitted of no alleviation,
prevailed at length upon the congregation, in the fpring of
1773, to quit fo difagreeable a neighborhood. April nth
there
ell. V. The Chnft'ian Indians quit Frledcnsfiadt. 8p
there was a folemn baptifmai tranfaftion, which clofed the
public v.'orfiiip of the congregation at Friedensfladt, and
praife and taankfgiving was offered up unto the Lord for all
his mercies, favors and prefervaiion experienced in this place.
The day after, the church was levelled with the ground, the
lieathen having intimated their intention to convert it into an
lioufe for dancing and facrlHce. On the I3ih our Indians
and their teachers fet out in twenty-two large canoes, down
the Beaver Creek to the Ohio, proceeding to the mouth of
the Muikingum, and up that river to Gnadenhuetteri and
Schoenbrunn. Brother John Heckenwaelder accompanied
thofe who went by water. But many went flrait acrofs the
country with Brother John Rothe.
This journey lafted three weeks, and not a day pafled, but
they found caufe to thank the Lord for his gracious help and
pi-efervation, efpecially in pafling the numerous falls in the
rivers, over which they were obliged to drag the canoes, in
performing which feme Brethren were in great danger of their
lives.
When at length the diit^rent parts of the Lidian congre-
gation met again together, there was univerfal joy and
gladnefs. Schoenbrunn was inhabited chiefly by Delawares ;
Gnadenhuetten by Mahikans; the believers from fevcral
other nations being difperfed among them in both places.
The dwellings, fields and gardens were portioned out amonof
the families according to their feveral neceffities. Thofe
who had lived here for fome time, {liowed all poflible kind-
nefs to the new-comers, and thus the latter were in a fhort
time conveniently and comfortably fituated and provided with
every thing needful.
External troubles however were not wanting. Intelli-
gence was received, that the Iroquois had fold a large tratl of
land below the Canhawa to the Englifli, to which feveral na-
tions claimed a right of poflcffion, and that many white
people had already fettled upon it. The fecret views of the
Iroquois in this bufinefs could not remain unobferved, as
they wifhed to draw the other Indian tribes into a war with
H 3 the
pO Account of Gtiadenhuetten atid Schoenhrunn. V. III.
the Englifli, and while both parties were weakening them-
felves by flaughter, to gain advantages for themfelves. The
petty wars of the Indian tribes continued, and our Indians
being confidered as belonging to the Delaware nation, which
was appointed peace-maker, they were inceflantly called
upon to interfere. Thus they were informed, that the
Cherokees had declared war againfl the Wawiachtanos, de-
ftroyed a whole town, making no prifoners, but killing all
they met, children not excepted. The head-chief of the
Delawares in Gekelemukpechuenk was therefore obliged to
fend an embafTy of twelve men to the Cherokees, with pro-
pofals of peace, which were accepted. Our Indians will-
ingly contributed twelve fathoms of wampom, towards the
expences of this embafly, to the great fatisfadtion of the
Chiefs. But they, did not fliow the fame difpofition, when
called upon to take fhare in a propofal made by the Dela-
wares to fend an embafly over the great ocean to the king of
England, to defire that he would make peace between the
implacable Iroquois and the Shawanofe ; and at the fame time
to beg his majelly to inform them, which of all the Chriflian
perfuafions under his government was the beft, that they
might finally arrive at fome certainty concerning that point.
It was evident, that fuch an undertaking could not be carried
into execution, and indeed, after many folemn and ferious
confultations, the whole affair was fufpended, and thofe who
had contributed towards the expences of the propofed em-
bafly, were not a little difappointed to find, that the Delaware
Chiefs would not return their contributions.
July 4th, 1773, the miflTionaries in Schoenhrunn had the
joy to baptize the firlllings of the Cherokee nation, a man
and his wife.
Both here and In Gnadenhuetten the labor of the miflion-
arles encreafed fo much, that they were obliged to beg for
ailiftants, and to their great fatisfadion, the miflfionary John
Jacob Schmick, who had lived in Bethlehem ever fince the
relinquilliing of Friedenshuetten, refolved to enter again into
the fervice of his beloved Indian congregation. But before
2 he
Ch. V. Ifaac GUkkikan^i Bpeech to the Couticil. pi
he fet out, It was found expedient to fend a formal embafly,
in the name of the believing Indians, to the Chiefs and
council in Gekelemukpechuenk, partly to give notice of the
arrival of the miflionary Schmick, and pahly to repeat the
declaration given by the Indian congregation concerning their
tenets, divine wor{hip, and m.anner of living; and to requeft the
favor of a renewed confirmation of the promifes given by that
council, viz. That the believing' Indians (hould be protedied
againft all encroachments and attacks of the favages. Six
deputies were therefore chofen, and Ifaac Glikkikan was
appointed fpeaker. He delivered with great freedom feveral
fpeeches before the council and a great number of hearers,
which made a deep impreflion on their minds, and prefented
the neceflary belts and firings of wampom by way of confirma-
tion. In one of thefe fpeeches he faid : " We have already
" given you a full explanation of our do£l:rine and manner of
" living, and declared, that we have renounced all heathen-
*' ifm, and the finful praftices common among the Indians,
*' with which we have nothing more to do, but wifh to lead
" a life well-pleafing to God. But you have not yet given us
'* an anfwer, though it is now above a year fince, this was done.
" You have rather troubled us with your own foolifh things,
" which we have entirely put away from us. "We therefore
" declare once more, that we have received the fweet and
" precious dodrine of the Gofpel, not only with our ears,
" but with our hearts. We have brought the word which
*' God fent unto us, and watch over it as over a great and
*' invaluable treafure ; being refolved to preferVe it, even
" to the end of our lives. If any Indian therefore wifhes
*' to hear and believe the Gofpel, let him come to us; we
** fhall think it a pleafure to inftrudl him. ' Therefore fend
" this belt to your nephews the Shawanofe, and to your uncle
" the Delamattenoos, &c." The council was in the begin-
ning not much pJeafed with the information of the appoint-
ment of another miflionary, and the old Chief, Nctawatwees,
was of opinion, that they had teachers enough, for the new
one would teach nothing but the fame doctrine. He was,
• H 4 however,
p2 Zfi/hergers Second Joumej to the Bhdivaucfe. P. III.
however, foon convinced, and agreed to his coming \ in
confequence of which fome Indian Brethren went to Beth-
lehem and condutfled Brother Schmick and his wife fafe to
Gnadenhuetten on the i8th of Augull.
In September, David Zeifberger and the two afliflants,
Ifaac GHkkikan and WilUam, made another journey to the
Shawanofe. They met the head-cb.ief in one of their
towns upon a journey. He- immediately gave them his
Jiand, and addrefling them in an exalted tone of voice, faid:
" This day God hath fo ordered, that we fliould fee and
*' fpeak with each other face to face." He then entered
into a long detail of the pra61:ices of the white people, de-
fcribing their manner of deceiving the Indians, which he
illuftrated by various inftances, and affirmed that they were
all alike, fweet in the mouths, but full of bitternefs in their
hearts, ever intent upon mifchief. As he always pointed to
the iniflionary whenever he mentioned the white people,
Brother Zeifberger fuppofed that he intended to deter him
from coming any more to the Shawanofe. He therefore took
this opportunity to give the Chief an idea of the views- of the
Brethren in teaching the Indians, nor did he omit to preach
\ht Gofpel to him, clofing with thefe words : ** Though you
" fiiould not believe my words now, yet a time will come,
^ when all of us mud appear before the judgment-feat of
" God-, then every thing will be made manifeft, and
^'^ you will be obliged to confefs, that I now have fpoken the
^' truth." But the Chief was fo exceedingly exafperated
againft the white people, to whom he afcribed all the mifery
of the Indians, that Brother Zeifberger's words feemed at
firft to have little weight with him. However being at
length more pacified, he permitted him to continue his vifits
in the Shawanofe towns, but added, that he muft expeft
fome day or other to have his brains beat out. The mifTion-
ary was not to be intimidated by thefe threats, but went to
various places, preached the Gofpel of Jefus Chrift with
great boldnefs and energy ; and, as he expreffed himfelf,
fowed the word in hope, though he perceived that for the
prefenfe
Ch. V". Anthony''s Deceafe. 93
prefent no regular miiFion could b;^ eflablifiied among thefe
people.
Soon after his return, die newly-erected chapels in Gna-
denhuetten and Schoenbrunn were confecrated with, great
joy and folemnity.
Among thoie who departed to eternal reft in the year 1773,
Anthony, who hasbeen frequently mentioned in this Hiftory,
deferves particular notice. His lofs was greatly lamented by
the miffionaries. Ever fin ce the year 1750 he had been a
faithful member of the congregation, cleaving to the Lord
with his whole heart, an J pofieihng extraordinary gifts for
interpreting the difcourfes of the miffionaries. He had a
clei-.r infight into the truths of the Gofpel, and a fervent zeal
to preach the word of reconciliation to his countrymen, for
which God had given him mouth and wifdom. He was
made inftrumental in the converfion of many, and rejoiced
greatly at their progrefs in grace. Diftrefs, danger, and per-
fecution, which he had abundantly experienced, efpecially
at Ck)ichgofchuenk, never diverted him from looking up in
faith to Jefus, but rather tended to eftablidi him in the love
and knoMdedge of the friend and preferver of his foul, for
whofe fervice he was willing to endure contempt and reviling,
and even death itfelf. . Some days before his deceafe, he faid
to a company of vilitors : " Brethren, I am now going to our
"Savior, and beg you never to deny your faith. Do not
** pull down, what the Lord himfelf hach built aniong you,
" but feek to preferve it. Obey your teachers, and follow
" them in all things. Do not grieve them by difobedience,
" and fuffer no one to feduce you. Think not when I a:n
" gone, th/at our Savior's caufe will fuffer. He will accom-
" pllfh the work he has begun, and prepare for himfelf
" Brethren qualified for the labor." He fell aileep with the
moll chearful countenance, aged 77, and his memory is
precious to all who knew him.
The year 1774 proved a time of great trial to the Indian
congregations. A war which broke out early hi fplring be-
tween the Virginians and Cherokees, Shawanofe, and Sen-
nek-^;,
^4 War Between the Cherohcsy Shawanofe, P. Ill,
nekas, occafioned fuch trouble and confufion throughout
the whole country, that the two fettlements, Gnadenhuetteit
and Schoenbrunn, had hardly a fingle day of reft to the end of
November. This war was firft occafioned by fome Chero-
kees, who having \ ifited Schoenbrunn murdered two white
traders on their return. Another European traveller was
murdered with a tomahawk by the Sennekas. This made
the white people in Virginia liy to arms, and it was foon re-
ported, that they had killed nine Sennekas, and wounded
two, without having permiflion from government to com-
mence hoflilities.
The alarm foon became general, and a great part of the
Shawanofe engaged in the war, going out in fmall parties ta
murder the white people. The Sennekas and Virginians
did the fame ; and many white people, lately fettled on the
Ohio, took flight. Thofe Sennekas who had efcaped from
the Virginians, came now to Gekelemukpechuenk, and
threatened to kill every white man they fhould meet with.
All white traders, therefore, were immediately concealed,
:fnd well guarded by the Delawares. As foon as this news
reached Schoenbrunn and Gnadenhuetten, the Indians, fear-
ing an attack upon the mifficnaries, kept ftri£l watch.
The protedion granted to the white people greatly en-
raged the Sennekas and Shawanofe againft the Delawares,
and confequently againft our Indians. On the other hand,
the Delaware nation, as the preferver of peace, was much
folicited, both by the Englifh government and the peaceable
Indian tribes, to exercife their authority, in endeavoring to
re-eftablifli peace and pacify the contending parties. The
l)elaware Chiefs were fincerely difpofed to exert themfelves
ifi fuppreffing the war, and fet feveral treaties on foot, to
which our Indians alfo fent fome deputies. But they either
proved altogether inefFeclual, or only productive of a partial
peace ; or if a general peace was agreed upon, it was im-
mediately broken. For all thefe well-meant endeavors, the
Delawares were ftiil more hated by thofe Indian tribes, who
!were fond of war, and at length called by way of derifion,
Shiuon-
Ch. V. Sennekas, and Virginians.. 9?f
S/jivomiahs, or white people. This exafperated the young men
among the Delawares. They could not fit down patiently,
and bear this contempt, but repeatedly folicited their Chiefs
and captains to join the Shawahofe, and go to v/ar with the
white people. But as thefe flood firm, the young warriors
afcribed their refufal to the powerful influence of our Indians,
in the council, who, as they fuppofed, were gaided and In-
llruded by the miffionaries. Thus the fettlements were in the
greated danger from this quarter, for the rage of the young
favages was fuch, that they could hardly be kept back from
venting their fury upon them. Some even of the principal
and oldeft Chiefs of the Delawares were fo weak, that they
fent a folemn embafly to the Shawanofe, pofitively declaring,
" that they would not be called Shwonnaks, and that if they
" were thus ihamefuUy reviled, on account of the white
" teachers who lived in Schoenbrunn and Gnadenhuetten,
" they took this opportunity of informing them, that they had
" no hand in it, and never intended to believe in the word of
" God, much lefs to live conformably to itj that they had
" never called the believing Indians into their country, but
*' only connived at its being done by fome old fools among
*' them." Though this latter aflertion was a palpable falfe-
hood, and it was evident that the Chiefs fent this meflage
merely out of fear, yet the young warriors were fo mucli
emboldened by it, that they came in great troops to Gnaden-
huetten and Schoenbrunn, and committed outrages, the con-
fequences of which would have been fatal, had not God in
mercy protected both fettlements by his almighty hand.
As the miffionaries were hourly in danger of their lives, it
was thought proper to fend Brother Rothe and his wife with
their two infants to Bethlehem, and the Lord conduced
them fafe tlirough many dangers. For the greater fecurity
of the other milhonaries, the Indians fent an embafly to the
council of the Delawares at Gekelemukpechuenk, defiring
that they would publicly acknowledge their having called the
believing Indians and their teachers into the country. They
alfo requefted, that the miffionaries might be copfidered as
belong-
p6 War heHueen tie Cherohcs-i lufc. and Virginians. P. III.
belonging to the Delaware nation, and members cf the
fame body. The council pretended to receive this embaffy
with great pleafure, but as the anfvv-er was, as ufual, pofl-
poned to fome future opportunity, it was of no fervice to
the believing Indians.
The rumours of v/ar and peace varied daily for many
months together, keeping our people in difhrefling fufpenfe.
Numerous troops of warriors marched through Schoenbrunii
and Gnadenhuetten, fome upon murdering parties, others
returning vidth fcalps and prifoners, uttering frequent threats,
that both places fhould foon be furprized and laid wafte.
Several meffages were fent by the Shawanofe to our In-
dians, cautioning them to fiy from tlicir fettlements and to
feek refuge in the towns of the Shawanofe, by which two
families were fo far intimidated, that they left the congrega-
tion, to their great detriment. Another mefiage arrived with
the news, that looo Shawanofe were on their march to chal-
lenge the Indians in Gekelemukpechuenk, Gnadenhuetten,
and Schoenbrunn, to enter the lifts with tbem againft the
Virginians, and in cafe of refufal, to murder every one of
them, and deftroy their towns. Another report mentioned,
that the Virginians were on the march, and many people
fiz& from Gekelemukpechuenk and other places, advifing
our Indians to do the fame. But the latter refolved rather
to wait, expecting help from the Lord alone. It was after-
wards proved, that moft of thefe terrifying reports were
nothing but inalicious lies, by v/hich fome wicked people in
Gekelemukpechuenk endeavored to fpread terror and confu-
Con among our Indians. Canoes however were always
kept in readlnefs for any fudden emergency, as they were
frequently in the night io much terrified by frightful
accounts, that all were on tlie point of taking flight. The
Sifters were feveral times driven from their plantations
at noon-day ; and ail the iniiabitants were confined for days
and weeks to their dwellings, as feveral parties of ftroilers
appeared in the neighborhood with a view to feize
itragglers. The powers of darknefs Vv-ere indeed feverely
I ' felt
Ch. V,
97
felt during tlils dreadful period, and tlie mlfiionaries and
their congrec;ation& could dp nothing but cry day and night
.unto God for proteftion and help in the time of need.
At length the Englifli Government was obliged to pro-
ceed to feverity, and to march troops into the field. Thefe
were ftriftly charged not to moled the Chrillian Indians, nor
■to pafs through Schoenbrunn and Gnadenhuetten. They
attacked a large party of Shawanofe, whom they defeat-
.•€d, made many prilbners, and deilroyed four or five of
their tov/ns. Uut as they ilill refufed to make peac^e, Lord
Dunmore, Governor of Virginia, marching with a fufficlent
force into their country, compelled them to fubmit and to
deliver up all the white prifoners, who were ftil! alive. He
tlien carried ofi' their cliief captains and fevei-al other Shav»^a-
nofe and Senneka Indians as hoitages, and thus ellablifhed
peace throughout the country, to which the Shawanofe the
more readily agreed, as all their endeavors to draw the great
.council of the Iroquois in Onondago, and other Indian na-
tions into their fchemes, had been fruftrated.
From this brief account of the war, ■we may eafijy
infer that the Indian congregations found great caufe
to praife and thank God for its happy conclufion. They
did this not only in private, but appointed the 6th of
November as a day of public thankfgiving, which they cele-
brated with great folcmnity, calling to mind the gracious
prefervation of that Lord, who had not fu,ffered them to be
tempted above what they were able to bear, but fupported
them gracioufly. For thefe his mercies they rendered unto
film fongs of praife and gratitude.
The millionaries had again great reafon to rejoice, that
amidft all thefe troubles, the internal eftablirnment of the
congregations in the grace of God had rather gained than
loll ground. The public preaching of the Gofpel had neyer
been omitted, and to moil of their hearers, among whom
were many v/arriors, the Gofpel was not preached in vain.
Some, who h;Kl attended the meetings with much emotion of
heart, returned Indeed to their refpccSlive homes, but after
a few
93 Account of Gnadenhuctten afid Schoenhninn. P. III.
a few days came again, to affure the Brethren, that they had
meditated by day and night upon what they had heard, and
could have no peace, until they refolved to return and to hear
more concerning fo gracious a God and Savior. A cele-
brated Indian preacher, hearing the Gofpel for the firfl: time
in Schoenbrunn, was fo ftruck with convi£lion, that he could
not reft, till he had obtained leave to dwell there. Many
fick Indians, women in labor, and travellers who were taken
ill in the neighborhood, begged to be carried to Schoenbrunn
or Gnadenhuetten, becaufe, astheyfaid, if they fliould hap-
pen to die, they might hope to hear words of their Savior
before they departed this life, and be led to turn to
him in their diftrefs. Though the miffionaries did not ex-
pe£l: to fee much abiding fruit on thefe occafions, becaufe a
man, in diftrefs, is apt to make good refolutions, but gene-
jally forgets them foon after ; yet they had the pleafure to
fee that fome of thefe poor people turned with their whole
hearts to the Lord, and joined his people.
There was another ftriking contraft between the conduct
of our Indians and the favages. The former, though
frequently interrupted, continued in their ufual habits of
jnduftry, planting their fields and gardens, boiling fugar, &c,
while the latter negledled every thing on account of the war.
God blefled the labor of their hands, fo much that they had
not only fufficient to afllft the needy, but even generoufly
provided many warriors, marching through their fettle-
meritS, with food and other neceflaries, to their great fur-
prize. A captain faid on this occafion : " I have found
** your people very different from what I heard them to be, In
" our towns. There it is faid, that when a ftrange Indian
*' arrives he is fent to make his fire in the wood, and can
*' get nothing to eat : I now hear the contrary from all that
" have come to us from you j for they have all been lodged
*' and fed. In Gekelemukpechuenk they made wry faces at
" us, but here all the men, women, and even children, have
" bid us welcome."
Among
Ch. V. Account ofGnadeiihuetien mid Schoenhrunn, tt^
Among thofe, who In 1774 obtained leave to dwell at
Schoenbrunn, was a family from Onondago, who had beea
formerly acquainted with Brother David Zeifberger. They
had been baptized by a Romifli prieft, and were therefore
only folemnly received into the congregation of the Brethren,
The man declared, that he had fpenc feveral years in great
anxiety of mind, laboring to procure reft unto his foul, but
could never find any, until he came hither and heard the
Gofpel of the incarnation, fufferings and death of God our
Savior. " And now," added he, I believe that Jefos
" Chrift filed his blood alfo for me a poor finner. I will
" therefore be wholly his property. Not a hair of me fliall
*' exift, that does not belong unto him." Chief Newallike,
whofe name was mentioned in the hiftory of Friedenshtietten,
having long hefitated whether he fliould devote him felf ta
the Lord, could no longer withftand his convi£tions, bat
came with his and another family from the Sufquehannah
to Schoenbrunn. About this time a remarkable emotion was
perceived among the unbaptized ; fome, who had appeared,
lukewarm, were roufed to a fenfe of their backwardnefs.
One of them faid, " Here am I, a poor fmncr, who have
*' lived fo long among God's people, and yet have no life in
*' my heart. Ah, I am afhamed, when I confider, with
*' what patience our Savior has borne with me hitherto. But
** now I cannot remain dead any longer: I defire to receive
" eternal life from him, but I know that I muft firft be
*' wafhed from my fins in his precious blood." A whole
family, having lived for a confiderable time at Schoenbrunn,
but fhowed no figns of true converfion, were therefore in-
formed, that if they knew no reafon for their living there,
they would do better to remove to fome other place. This
caufed them ferioufly to refleft. Both hufband and wife,
who hitherto had been at variance, now agreed to turn to
the Lord, begged leave to ftay, and the man added that he
fliould even confider it as a favor if they were only permitted
to fit without, on the threfhold, to hear the Gofpel. Their
yequeft was granted, and the Brethren had no reafon co re-
pent :
■lOO Accotmt of Gnadenhuetten and Schoenbru?w. P. Ill,
pent : i\\tj turned indeed with their whole hearts unto the
Lord> were baptized, and remained ever after faithful mem-
bers of the congregation. An Indian woman, who had been
long without fpirituai life, came, and declared with many
tears, that our Savior had manifefted himfelf toher heart;
that (he now could believe, that he had received wounds in
his hands, feet, and fide, for Jier fms. That having repre-
fentdd to her mind how he ftood with the tliorny cro-wn,
torn and wounded, this had melted her whole heart :
" Now," added (he, " I defire nothing fo much as to be
** cleanfed from my fms in his precious blood." An unbap-
tlzed man, who moved from Gekelemukpechuenk to Schoen-
brunn, being feverely repi'oved for it by an heathen, anfwer-
ed : "All the Indians know how wickedly I have lived ;
*' I had not my fellow in Gekelemukpechuenk, fo that
*' my grandfather, Netawatwees, and all my friends, hated
*' me on account of my abominable life, often bidding me to
" be gone, and never to fee their face again. But now that
*' my friends and the other Indians fee that I am here and be-
'' lieve the Gofpel, they hate me much more than before,
" when I lived in fin." Chief Echpalawehund came one day
to Brother Schmick, and faid : " Yefierday our Savior reveal-
*' ed himfelfto me, and I felt great pain, -when I confidered
*' how many years I have grieved him with my fins. I prayed
*' to him ; ' Have mercy upon me ! Thou feefh and knoweft
*' my wretchednefs. Grant.me thy mercy, and the remiflion
" of my fins. Cleanfe my heart ; I will devote it unto thee
*' alone !' I then thought, I will caft myfeif at the feet of
*' Jefus, and never defill until he grants my petition." He
foon received the joyful afTurance of the forgivenefs of his
(ins, was baptized and called Peter, and not long after be-
came a zealous witnefs of the truth among the very people,
whofe Chief he had been. The grace of God and the labor
of his Spirit were evident, not only in the hearts of the un-
baptized and catechumens in general, but more efpecially
arriong the young people. Even children were awakened,
and the mifTionaries remarked with great pleafure and grati-
tude.
~Ch. V. TranfaBmis at Gehlemuhpechuenh. lol
tude, that thefe little ones both in public and private, wept
for grace through the blood of Jefus,. devoting themfelves with
foul and body to him, who gave himfelf a facrifice for us.
It happened about this time that a poor girl of ten years old,
being engaged in planting Indian corn, was fuddenly cruflied
to death by the fall of a large tree. This circumftance af-
forded an opportunity to remind the children, that they
ought to be always ready to depart to the Lord with joy, not
knowing how foon they may be called hence.
The confidence and courage with which the Indian affill-
ants preached the word of reconciliation to their country-
men was remarkably great at this period. They did this
even publicly in the great council at Gekelemukpechuenk,
the Chiefs having defired that fome of the eldeft and moft
refpecied among the believing Indians would always attend,
and they feldom omitted an opportunity of declaring the
truth, as it is in Chrifl Jefus. One of them fpoke in the
council concerning the miffionaries : "Our teachers," faid
he, " do not defire your land, nor any external advantage,
*' as other white people do, but their whole aim is, to preach
" Jefus, and to inflruft us daily, how to attain to a better
*' knowledge of God our Creator, by whom we receive peace
" and joy in our hearts and the hopes of everlafting life.
" They love the Indians, and therefore live among us, and
" we muft not look upon our teachers as upon other white
*' people, but clafs them among our neareft friends and
** relations." Notwithftanding thefe declarations the miffion-
aries were however a ftone of offence to many of the Chiefs
and to a great part of the council at Gekelemukpechuenk,
and it was feveral times propofed to expel them by force.
But God brought their counfel to nought, and appointed for
this purpofe, the firft captain among the Delawares, called
White Eye. This man kept the Chiefs and council in awe,
and would not fuffer them to injure the miilionaries, being
in his own heart convinced of the truths of the Gofpel.
This was evident in all his fpeeches, held before the Chiefs
and council in behalf of the Indian congregation and their
Part III. I teachers.
102 'TranfaEl'ions at Gehekn7tikpechue?ih. P. III.
teachers, during which he was frequently fo much moved,
that, his tears prevented his words. He likewife declared
with confidence, that no profperity would attend the Indian
affairs, unlefs they received and believed the faving Gofpel,
fent by God to them, by means of the Brethren. He was
therefore unwearied In his endeavors to perfuade them to
believe, as the above-mentioned declaration of fome Chiefs
in Gekelemukpechuenk, that they would never hear and
believe the word of God, extremely diftrefled him. This
expofed him to much reproach and fufferlngs, and he had no
greater enemy than the above-mentioned old Chief Netawat-
wees, who was the principal author of that declaration.
"White Eye however remained firm, and demanded that the
Chriftian Indians fliould enjoy perfe£l liberty of confcience,
and their teachers fafety and protection, adding, that It was
but right that the believers fhould live feparate from the reft,
and be protected by the Chiefs and council againft every
intruder. But finding thr.t his remonftrances would not
avail, he feparated himfelf entirely from the Chiefs and
council. This occafioned great and general furprife, and
his prefence being conildered both by the Chiefs and the
people as indlfpenfably neceflary, a ncgociation commenced,
and fome Indian Brethren were appointed arbitrators. The
event was beyond expe6lation fuccefsful, for Chief Neta-
watwees not only acknowledged the Injuftice done to Cap-
tain White Eye, but changed his mind with refpe6t to the
believing Indians and their teachers, and remained their
conftant friend to his death. He likewife publiflied this
change of fentiment to the whole council, in prefence of
the deputies from Gnadenhuetten and Schoenbrunn. Cap-
tain White Eye then repeated the propofal which they had
formerly rejefted ; and the council agreeing to it, an a£i:
was made In the name of the whole Delaware nation to the
following efFeft :
" From this time forward we folemnly declare, that we will
** receive the word of God, and that the believing Indians
" and their teachers lliall enjoy perfed liberty throughout
"the
Ch. V. AB of the Delaivares in favor of the IWiflon. 1 03
" the Indian country, with the fame rights and privileges
" enjoyed by other Indians. The country fliall be free to
" all, and the believers (liall have their right and fliare in it,
*' as well as the unbelievers. Whoever M'iflies to go to the
*' Brethren and to receive the Gofpel, fnall be at liberty to join
" them, and none fliall hinder him. But no heathen In-
*' dians fhall fettle in the neighborhood of the believers."
Netawatwees expreffed great joy at this act and declaration,
and concluded his fpeech with thefe words: " I am an old
*' man, and know not how long I may live in this world. I
*' therefore rejoice, that I have been able to make this a(5l,
" of which our children and grandchildren will reap the bene-
" fit: and now I am ready to go cut of the world, when-
" ever God pleafes." He fent moreover tlie following mef-
fage to Chief Pakanke in Kaflcaflcunk : ** You and I are both
*' old and know not how long we fhall live. Therefore let
" us do a good work, before we depart, and leave a tefti-
" mony to our children and poflerity, that we have received
*' the word of God. Let this be our laft will and teftament."
Pakanke accepted the propofal, and he and other Chiefs
made it known by folemn embaffies in all places v/here it
was neceffary. For a flill greater fecurity, a treaty was fet
on foot with the Delamattenoos, who had given this part of
the country to the Delawares about thirty years ago, by
which a grant was procured, infuring to the believing In-
dians an equal right with the other Delawares to pofTefs land
in it. And that this tranfadlion might be duly ratified in the
Indian manner and the aft remain unrepealed, our Indians fent
a formal embaffy to the Chiefs and council of the Delaware
nation, to return their humble thanks for it. The deputies
repeated the whole declaration of the council concerning
the believing Indians and their teachers, and Nctav/atwees
confirmed it to be their own a£l: and deed, in prefence of
all the people -, adding, that they had called the Indian con-
gregation and their mifhonarics into this country, and that
all the words now repeated by the deputies, had been fpoken
and ratified by this council. Then the deputies proceeded to
I 2 return
Id4 Frofpermis State ef the Mijlon. P. III.
return thanks in the name of both congregations, delivering
feveral belts of wampom, which were forwarded to the neigh-
boring nations. They were made without ornaments, and
immediately known by their plainnefs to be the belts of the
Chriilian Indians. Thus this important bufinefs was con-
cluded and confirmed in due form.
Meanwhile Gekelemukpechuenk was forfaken by its inha-
bitants, and a new town bulk on the eaft fide of the Mulkin-
gum, oppofite to the influx of the Walhalding. This town
was called Gofchachguenk, and Chief Netawatwees chofe it
for his future refidence.
C H A P T E R VI.
1775. 1776.
Profperity of the Indian Congregation. Building of
Lichtenau on the Mujkingiim. The Situation of the
Indian Congregafion rendered dangerous by a long
Indian War,
THE reft enjoyed by the Indian congregation in the
year 1775 was peculiarly pleafmg, and much favored
the vifits of ftrangers, who came in fuch numbers, that the
chapel at Schoenbrunn, which might contain about five
bundled hearers, was too fmall.
Among thefe was a white man from Maryland, Mr.
Richard Connor and his wife, who had lived many years
among the Shawanofe, but afterwards fettled in Pittfburg.
The Gofpcl, which they heard in Schoenbrunn, was fo pre-
cious to them, that they refolved to leave Pittfburg and live
with our Indians. The mifhonaries being very fcrupulous
of admitting white people as inhabitants, on account of the
above-mentioned fufpicions of the Indian nations, repre-
I fented
Ch. VI. Profperous State of the M'tjion. 105
fented their fcruples, adding, that they would find it incon-
venient, to fubmit to thofe rules and practices agreed upon
as cflentially neceffary for the welfare of the fettlement.
But Mr. and Mrs. Connor declared their willingnefs to com-
ply with every thing, and that they did not defire to claim the
lenil prerogative before the believing Indians, their only view
being the falvation of their own fouls. They were fo urgent
in repeating their requeft, that after mature confideration
in the conference of the Indian aiTiitants, their petition was
at lall granted. They then left Pittfburg, and moved to
Schoenbrunn, where they began an Indian houfekeeping, and
were publicly received as members of the church of the
Brethren. They had foon after the fatisfadion, after much
trouble, to ranfom their fon of four years old, for forty
Spanifh dollars, from the Shawanofe, who had forcibly de-
tained him.
It was a great pleafure to the Brethren to fee the change
wrought in the mind of Captain Pipe's wife. She formerly
declared that what the Brethren preached, was not true ;
that the knew better, having been in the manfions of the
fpirits, where the ftrawberries and bilberries were as large
as apples, and in great plenty. Thither fhe intended to re-
turn, but that flie would never go to tlie Brethren's heaven.
On this account Ihe would not come to any meeting for a
long time. At length venturing to attend the bapiifm of a
child, the Holy Ghofl labored fo powerfully on her heart,
that flie melted into tears, and afterwards declared, that flie
would no more fay, that the Brethren's do6lrine was falfe,
being now convinced of its truth and defirous to be faved by
it. In this year, Wangomen, the well-known heathen
preacher at Gofchgofchuenk, vifited Schoenbrunn, endeavc--
ing to propagate his foolifli docSlnnes, in order to perplex
the minds of the people. But the Indian Brethren oppofed
him fo fuccefsfully, that he was utterly confounded. They
clofed their rebuke with thefe words : *' Go to our children,
" they can teach you the way to falvation, of which you are
** ignorant."
I 3 After
io6 Profperous State of the M'tjfion. P. III.
After a fermon which treated of the great love of God
to man, revealed in the incarnation and death of our Lord
Jefus Chrift, a Grange Mahikan aflced an Indian Siiler, whe-
ther all the people at church had a feeling of this great love
of God. She anfwered : " I cannot tell you whether all
" feel it, hut thofe who believe and love our Savior feel it
*' certainly. I will introduce a fimile. Suppofe there was
" a very delicious meal prepared in this room, and many
" people attending ; thofe only who eat, can fay, that the
" victuals tafle well, the others cannot fay fo. Thus it is
*'• with our Savior. Only thofe who have tailed of his love
** can fpeak of it, and they never forget it." The Maliikaa
replied: '* Your fimile is jufl:. Now I will likewife tell you
** fcmething: When my wife was going to lie in vvith her
** firll-born, I was irnpitient to fee the child. When I faw
" it, I thought : This child God has made ; and I loved it fo
" much, that I could not forbear looking at it continually.
*' Soon after the child died, and I mourned to that degree,
*' that nothing would comfort me. 1 had no reft, day nor
" night, and my child was always in my thoughts ; for my very
" heart cleaved to it. At Lift I could bear the houfe no
" longer, but ran into the woods, and almoft loft my fenfes.
** The Indians then advifed me to take an emetic to get rid of
" my forrow. I complied, but the love for my child, and
'* my forrow for its lofs, were not removed, and I returned to
'' the woods. There I beheld the trees and the birds, and
" confidered, that the fame God created them who made my
" child. I then faid : ' Thou, O God ! who mad'ft all things,
" I know not where thou art, but I have heard that thou
" dwelleft in heaven. Thou haft taken my child, take my
*' forrow and grief likewife from me !' This was done,
" and I then could forget rny child. From this I conclude,
" that thofe who love God are difpofed as I was towards
*' the child I fo dearly loved ; they can never forget him, nor
" find reft and pleafure in any thing elfc."
Another vifitor was furprized that he hud nothing to pay
for the miffionaries fermons. He faid, " I have been here
3 *' three
Ch. VI. Profperous State of the M'ljfton. I07
" three days, and have heard many excellent words, without
*' paying any wampom. This is not fo among the Indians, for
" when you want to gain any ufeful knowledge from the old
•' and wife men, you muft firft give them ftrings and belts of
" wampom, otherwife they will not inftrud you."
In May 1775 the Chief of a large Shawanofe town fpent
fix days agreeably at Gnadenhuetten, accompanied by his
wife, a captain, feveral counfellors, in all above thirty per-
fons. They attended divine worfliip regularly, and received
a good impreflion from it. At parting the Chief eftabliflied
a bond of friendfhip with Brother Schmick.
Both thefe fettlemems were much troubled by fuch Indians,
w?io during the former wars, had neglefted their plantations,
and were thus reduced to famine. Our Indians fed thefe
wretched people as long as they had anything themfelves, but
beingfoondiftrefledforprovlfions, were obliged to feek food
for their families, by hunting at a great diflance from home.
On one of thofe expeditions, a brother having loft his party,
flrayed into an immenfe wildernefs, where he roved about for
a whole week before he found his way home. On his arrival,
the whole congregation took fliare in the inexpreflible joy of
his wife and children, who had given him over for loft. He
was almoft ftarved, looked like a corpfe ; and it was with
difficulty that he was fo far reftored as to be able to take food.
But he could not find words to exprefs his thanks to God- our
Savior, on whom he placed his fole confidence in this dread-
ful hour of trial. " Praifed be the Lord," faid he to Brother
Schmick, " who preferved me fo long in the woods. Often
" did I cry unto him in my diftrefs : ' Thou knoweft why
" I went out to hunt, I fought to provide the neceffiiry food
" for myfelf and my family. Affift me to find my way to my
" wife and children, and to my brethren. Be prefent with
*' me and fi:rengthen me, for I am very faint !' This prayer
•' our Savior heard, and brought me back, for which I can-
" not thank him fufficiently."
Among thofe v/ho were baptized in the year 1775, '^'^^ ^
fon of the well-known Chief Pakanke, in Kalkafkunk, who,
I 4 being
Io8 ^Profperous State of the Milton, P. III.
being taken ill in the woods, begged to be carried to Gnaden-
huetten, where he heard the Gofpel, fo well adapted to the
comfort of all the poor and needy, with eager attention, and
begged with tears for baptifm. " 1 only defire," faid he, " to
*' be faved, and that our Savior may cleanfe my heart in his
** precious blood, forgive me all my fins, and grant me ever-
*' lafting life." He then alked Brother Scf^mick, when
Chriftmas-day would be, and the day being mentioned to
him, he wept and faid: '^ Ah, that the Lord would then'
" have mercy upon me, and grant me fpiritual life in holy
" baptifm, for on that day I was born into this world." His
requefl was granted, and he was baptized on .Chriftmas-day.
About this time an unbaptized man, who was fent away
from Gnadenhuetten on account of his bad behavior, was
exafperated to fuch a degree, that having painted himfelf all
over black, he entered the houfe of the miffionary Schmick,
armed with a large knife, bent upon revenge. But finding
only his wife at home, he returned, and foon recollecting
himfelf, went and confeffed his fins and unhappy condition,
begging earneftly to be re-admitted ; and not long after
Brother Schmick had the pleafure to baptize him into the
death of Jefus. Another, who had been appointed fucceflbr
to Chief Netawatwees, declined the ofrer, and would rather
believe and be baptized, than promoted to that honor.
Among thofe called by the Lord into eternal reft was John
Papunhank, a man m.uch refpetled, who cleaved ftedfaftly
unto the Lord, and in every trial gave evident proofs, tiiat he
was eftablifhed in the true faith. The external affairs of the
fettlement at Schoenbrunn were committed to his inipeclion,
as warden of the congregation. Li this office he fliowed the
greateft faithfulnefs and aClivity. During the latter period
of his life he was remarkably cheerful, and in his laft illnefs
never wiftred to recover, but longed to depart and fee Jefus,
his Lord and God, face to face. In ihis blefled hope he fell
happily afleep, and his end was edifying to all prefent. The
deceafe of Jcfliua v/as a painful ftroke to the mifilonaries j
he was one of the firft baptized in the year 1742. As an
alhftant
Ch. VL Trouhks cccnjioned by the Jvierican War. 109
aiTiftant he fliowed great zeal and fidelity, preached the
Gofpel with fimplicity and power to his countrymen, and
having great gifts and capacity, was very ufeful and unweari-
ed in tranflating. He was univerfally beloved, and being
appointed warden of the congregation at Gnadenhuetten, he
watched ftedfaftly over the due obfervance of the regula-
tions and flatutes, himfelf giving a good example unto
others. Shortly before his departure he faid to Brother
i>chmick : " I go to our Savior as a poor finner, for I am the
*' pooi-elil and worft of all, and have nothing to plead but the
" blood of Chrift. His righteoufnefs is my wedding drefs."
And clothed with this, he fell happily afleep, and entered
into eternal reft.
In the year 1775 the difputes between Great Britain and
lier North American colonies had rifen fo high, that the
difturbances occafioned by them reached the countries
fituated along the Muflcingum and Ohio. I fliall mention thofe
troubles only in as far as they had an influence upon our
Indian congregations, and may tend to throw light upon their
hiftory. The troops and allies of Great Britain I have called
the EngFi/hy and the troops and allies of the prefent United
States, the Americans.
The Indian miihon was brought into an extraordinary
dilemma by this war, and it is incredible with what circum-
fpe£tion the miffionaries were obliged to a£l, not to offend
either the Engllfn or Americans, or the various Indian nations
inclining to one or the other party.
In October and November 1775 a treaty of peace was fet
on foot at Pittfburg, with the deputies of the Six Nations. To
this Brother Zeifberger, as millionary, and fome Indian
Brethren, as deputies, were invited by the commiflioners ap-
pointed by the American congrefs. Brother Zeifberger de-
clined attending, but our Indian deputies went to Pittfburg,
where the aim to eftablifh peace was only in part obtained.
The deputies of the Wyondat or Huron Indians fhowed.
much diflatisfadion at parting, being inclined to take the
part of the Engliih.
Captain
no Buildirrg of Lichtenau. P. III.
Captain White Eye took this opportunity to declare both
to the commiiTionprs of Congrefs, and to the Indian deputies,
that the Delaw-vc nn.tion had formally refolved to receive the
Gofpel- Tin:; indeed fcemed to be the fincere intention of
the people of Gofchachguenk, and muft be afcribed to the
frequ'ent; ndmonltions given them to this purpofe by their old
Chief Netawatwees. Towards the end of the year a folemn
embaffy came from Gofchachguenk to Schoenbrunn, to defire
that a third fettlement might be edabliflied. Their addrefs
was to tLe following etFe£l : " Brothers and friends ! you
" told us immediately upon your arrival, that you intended to
*' build two or tliree towns for the believing Indians. Two
** are ere£led, and we perceive that they are well filled with
** inhabitants. We therefore, having long ago refolved to
" believe in the Gofpel, have thought, upon mature con-
*' fideration, that it is now time to build the third town, that
** thofe of our people, who believe, may have a place of
" refuge. We therefore defire you to begin as foon as poffi-
** ble. You are to lay the foundation, to plant the word of
** God, and to make the proper regulations, as you know
" befb. Thefe muft not be made only to fuit the aged and
" grown people, but chieHy for our young people and children j
" for it is our intention, that this eftabliflnnent fliall laft as
" long as Indians exift. We wifii particularly, to fee our child-
" ren inftrufted in reading the holy Scriptures, that they may
*' never forget them. Our eyes look towards you, for v/e
** are not able toaccomplifh it ourfelves." The meilage was
duly received, and the deputies having propofed two places
for a third fettlement, the mifllonary David Zeifberger went
in the fpring of 1776 with fome Indian Brethren to view
them, when, after due deliberation, a fpot was chofen with
the approbation of the Chiefs and the great council of the
Delawares, about three miles below Gofchachguenk, on the
eaft fide of the Mufkingum, and the fettlement was called
Lichtenau.
Chief Netawatwees and moft of his people exprelTed great
3oy on this occafion j but thofe who did not wifli to be dif-
turbed
Ch.VI. Building of Lkhtenail. ' III
turbed in the fervice of fin by the preaching of the Gofpel,
refolvedto quit the neighborhood of the Brethren, and a£lu-
ally left the country.
April loth, 1 776, the Brethren Zeifberger and Heckenwael-
der, with eight Indian families, in all thirty-five perfons,
went from Schoenbrunn to the fpotpropofed for the build-
ing of Lichtenau, and on the evening of their arrival met
in the open air to praife the name of that Lord, whom
they intended to worflilp and ferve in this place. They firlt
dwelt in huts, as ufual on fuch emergencies, marked out the
plantations and gardens, for the fettlement on the banks
of the Muflcingum, and built one flreet north and fouth,
with the chapel in the center. They were aflifted in this
arduous work by many Brethren from Gnadenhuetteu
and Schoenbrunn, and by Chief Netawatwees, who fre-
quently came with a large party of his people to help them.
Even fome ftrangers, among whom w^ere four Cherokees,
went willingly to work. Thus in a fliort time, all our Indians,
who moved hither with their teachers, left the huts and
took poffefiion of tr.eir houfes. By the preaching of the
Gofpel here many Indians in Gofchachguenk and other
places became concerned for their falvation ; and as all thofe,
who appeared in earnefi;, were permitted to fettle at Lich-
tenau, this place foon encreafed, and the mifhonaries had the
fatisf^fi-ion to find, that a better fituation could not have been
chofen tor t'ne preaching of the Gofpel. The favages came
hither from the mod diftant parts, and heard it with abiding
blelhng. Among thefe ftrangers one deferves particularly to
be noticed, who came from the river Illinois, at the diftance of
above a thouranci miles, and appeared very thoughtful. At
laft he thus addreffed Brother Zeiibergcr: " Do you think
" that v/hat you preach is true, and good for us ?" The mif-
fionary anfwercd, " I preach the word of God, which is
" truth, and will remain fo to all eternity." He replied,
" I cannot believe it." His honefc declaration pleafed the
miffionary, and he explained to him, that as foon as he fliould
hear
I i 2 Tirjl Eapfifm at Lichtenatt. P. III.
hear the Gofpel and perceive its power, lie would, without
much befitation, acknowledge it to be truth.
July 28th, 1776, the firft baptifm was adnarniilered in
Lichtenau to a nephew of Chief Netawatwees, who was
named John. He foon became an active and zealous wit-
ncfs among his countrymen, fearlefs of the pevfecution of
thofe, who were avowed enemies of the Gofpel. Being ad-
vifed by an lieathen not to fpeak of what he experienced*
becaufe it might eventually coft him his life, he replied, " I
** will therefore fpeak the more courageoufly. Do you
*' imagine, that we fear the forcery of the Indians, and on
" that account fhut our mouths and conceal what God our
** Savior has done and fufFered for us and all the Indians,
** when he fhed his, precious blood for the remiffion of fins ?
" God forbid : We will tell all men how they may come to
*' Jefus Chrift and be faved by him, nor will we hold our
*' peace as long as we live ; for this is the commandment of
*' God unto us." Netawatwees, M'ho greatly rejoiced at the
change wrought in his nephew, permitted his fon to move
with his whole family to Lichtenau, and was very thoughtful
about his own falvation. He related, that he had made
thirteen notches in a piece of wood, by way of memorandum,
that he had been thirteen Sundays in Lichtenau to hear the
word of God ; and that when he confidefed how often he had
heard of his Redeemer, and looked at the notches In the
wood, he could not help weeping, although he endeavored to
conceal his tears.
Among thofe who moved to Lichtenau in 1776, was a
Chief from Affiningk. He had niarried a white woman, who,
as a child; was taken prifoner by the favages about nineteen
years ?go in Virginia. Being prefent at a morning meeting
for the firft time, (he burft into tears, faying, " O how do I
" rejoice, that after the fpace of nineteen years, I at lafk hear
" the Gofpel again. I have often defired to live with you,
*' and now God has granted my petition ; I never felt happier
" than when I awoke this morning.'*
In
Ch . VI. Vijitfrom a Chief of the Shawamfe. 1 1 3
In Gnadenhuetten arrived about this time a Chief of the
Shawanofe, commonly called Cornftock, with a retinue of up-
wards of an hundred perfons, men, women, and children. His
behavior was courteous, and he fhowed a particular friendfliip
for the mifiionary Jacob Schmick, to whom he addrefled the
following fpeech through his interpreter, an old mulattoe,
who had lived twenty years among theShawanofe : " I greatly
" rejoice to fee you and your wife. I {l\all never forget the
" kindnefs you have fhown me during my laft vifit. There-
" fore I confider you and your wife as my parents, and de-
" clare and own you anew as fuch." Brother Schmick
anfwered: '* This is doing us too much honor. Y/e fliall be
'* fatisfied if you will confider me as your brother, and my
* wife as your filler." He feemed pleafed, and taking the
milTionary and his wife by the hand, thanked them^ and
faid : " I will acquaint all my friends that we have eftabliflied
*' this bond of frieiulfliip."
In the year 1776, the Delaware Reading and Spelling
Book, compiled by Brother Zeiiberger, was introduced into
the fchools at Schoenbrunn and Gnadenhuetten, and gave
great pleafure to the fcholars.
The believing Indians, confitling at theclofeof 1775 of 414
perfons, lived now in three fettlements, not far afunder, and
a conftant edifying intercourfe fubfilted between them. Inter-
nally the congregations profpered greatly. The Gofpel fhowed
its divine power in the hearts both of flrangers and inhabit-
ants. Of the former many were added to the church of
God by holy baptifm, and the growth of the latter in the
love and knowledge of the Lord Jcfus Chriit was fo con-
fpicuous, that the miffionaries could not but acknowledge
the miffion to have been at that time in the moft flourlfliing
ftate. But their external fituation was truly embarraffing.
They firft received a meflage in the name of his Britannic
Majefty, defiring that our Indians, as well as the others,
would fi:ri£lly adhere to the articles of peace, and remain
quiet during the troubles fubfifting between the colonies
and the mother-country. Our Indians were more efpecially-
willins
114 EmlarraJJlng Situation of the MiJJtonaries. P. Ill,
■willing to aft conformably to the contents of this meffage, as
they loved peace and "wifhed to remain unmolefted. Soon
after another rneffage was received from the Congrefs at
Philadelphia, giving notice in the kindeft terms, that they
had appointed an agent of Indian affairs, and that our Indians
fhould correfpond with him in all public concerns. Not long
after a report prevailed, that the Shawanofe had joined the
Englifli againft the Americans, and were gone out to murder
the latter. At laft intelligence was brought that the Six
Nations would go to war, affifl: the Englifh, and that the
Delamattcnoos and other Indian nations would follow their
example : but that the Delaware nation, which was appointed
to keep the general peace, fhould not be informed of thefe
proceedings, till it was too iate to prevent the war. Thefe
and other rumors perplexed our Indians not a little. Being
refolved at all events not to meddle with tlie war, they faw
plainly, that they fhould ftand, as it were, between three fires,
the Englifh, the Americans, and thofe Indian nations, who
were dlfpleafed with their neutrality; all thefe being fufpici-
ous of their condu£l. But the greatefl concern they had was
on account of their teachers, who, in cafe of an Indian war,
mud either fly and leave their congregations, or every day
be in danger of lofing their lives.
The Delaware Chief Netawatwees did every thing in his
pov/er to preferve peace among the Indian nations, by fending
embafhes, and exhorting them not to go to war. He however
received a meffage from the Hurons, " that the Dela-
** wares fhould keep their ilioes in readinefs, to join the war-
** riors." This meiTage he would not accept, but fent feveral
belts to the Hurons, admonifliing them to fit flill and to re-
member the mifery they had brought upon themfelves, by
taking fhare in the late war between the Englifh and French.
Thefe belts were carried to the Chiefs of the Hurons in Fort
Detroit j but as it was neceffary to deliver them to the Chiefs
in the prefence of the Englifh Governor, the latter, to fulfil
his duty, cut them in pieces, cafl them at the deputies feet,
and commanded them to depart within half an hour. He
even
Ch. VI. Outrages committed hy the Huron f, Mhigues^ bfc. I i^
even accufed Captain White Eye of taking part with the
Americans, advifing him to depart inftantly as he valued his
head. After this, Congrefs offered to protect thofe Indians,
who were peaceably difpofed, and to place them out of the
reach of danger. No Chief would venture to make known
this mefl'age to his people, the general difpoiitioa of all the
Indians, the Delawares not excepted, being for war; and the
mere mention of this propofal would have occafioned them
to go to war immediately, and thus have made bad worfe.
The Americans then advifed the miflionaries to fave them-
felves, and take refuge in Pittfburg. But well knowing that
their congregations would fall into the mofl deplorable cir-
cumftances without their teachers, they declined every
offer of that kind, and rather refolved to fuffcr with the
people committed to their care, though threatened by the
moil imminent danger. Brother William Edward arrived in
autumn from Bethlehem to affift the miffion.
About this time the Hurons and Mingues came into the
vicinity of our fettlements, and murdered eleven white people
upon a plantation not far from Lichtenau- Some of them
were even found Ikulking about at Gofchachguenk in fearch
of white people. At length fix of them came early in the
morning of the 12th of November to Lichtenau, and Brother
Heckenwaelder was not a little alarmed, v^hen upon opening
his houfe-door he difcovered thefe favages ilanding before it-
Some Indian Brethren however hailened to his affiftance, to
whom the favages owned, that tlicy eaiiie in fearch of white
people, intending to kill them, but affurcd them, that they
did not mean to hurt the white teacliers, but only tlie v/hite
traders.
The Americans now began to marcli with the Indian war-
riors in their interelt, againll the Englilh, and defired a paf-
fage through the Delaware country, promijing that if they
remained quiet, they iliould fuffcr no injury. The Delawares
however were not a little alarmed, fearing thiit if the Ameri-
cans were defeated, the conquerors would plunder and de-
flroy all the Delaware towns, -and our fettlements would have
uuJoubt-
ii6 Daf7geroia Situation of the MJ[fionaries. P. III.
undoubtedly fhared the fame fate. But as their requefl could
not be refufcd, filence gave confent.
It now became evident, why, by the providence of God,
Lichtenau had been placed fo near to Gofchachguenk -, for
the believing Indians could neither have defended themfelves
nor their teachers againft the infults of the warriors, had they
not had conftant fupport from the Chiefs and council of that
place. They cautioufly avoided interfering with the meflages
of the Delawares, fent either to the Englifh, the Americans,
or the neighboring Indian nations, or with any thing relating
to political affairs. One circumftance was very perplexing.
The Delaware Chiefs now and then received letters from
Pittfuurg and other places. As they could not read, they
generally applied to the milhonaries to know the contents.
Sometimes they defired them to anfwer thefe letters in the
name of the Chiefs. It would have been not only unkind,
but even dangerous, to refufe their requelf, as the Chiefs would
have had occafion to doubt their friendiliip. Innocent as their
compliance was, the miffionaries wlflied much to have been
fpared, fearing left people, who knew not the connexion of
this bufmefs, might begin to fufpe61: that they were them-
felves carrying on a correfpondence with the Americans to the
prejudice of the Englifli, and the event proved their fears to
be juft. The more the miffionaries flood in need of a fenfible
and refpe£led Chief in this embarrafling fituation, the more
they had reafon to lament the death of Chief Nctawatwees,
which happened in Pittiburg, towards the clofe of 1776.
Ever fmce his fentimentshad changed in favor of the GofpeJ,
he was a faithful friend of the Brethren, and being one of the
moft experienced Chiefs in his time, his counfel proved often
very ferviceable to the miffion. The 'wifh he uttered as his
laft will and teftament, that the Delaware nation might hear
and believe the v/ord of God, preached by the Brethren, was
frequently repeated in the council by his fucceflbr, and then
they renewed their covenant to ufe their utmofl exertions, to
fulfil this laft wifli of their old worthy and honored. Chief.
Upon fuch an occafion, Captain Y/hite Eye, holding the bible
and
Ch. VI. TranJziBiom hetixieen the HuronSy ^d. ahdEngliJh. 1 1 7
and fome fpelling-books In his hands, addrelTed the council
with great emotion and even with tears: " My friends," faid
he, '* you now have heard the laft will and teftament of our
*' departed Chief. I will therefore gather together my young
*' men and their children, and kneeling down before that
*' God, who created them, will pray unto him, that he
'* may have mercy upon us and reveal his will unto us. And
** as we cannot declare it to thofe, who are yet unborn, we
*' will pray Unto the Lord our God, to make it known to
*^ our children, and children's children."
In the mean time the Hurons continued to commit ra-
vages and murders in all places, attached to the American
caufe. The Chiefs of the Delawares were more than ever
concerned for the fafety of the miflionaries in Gnadenhuet-
ten and Schoenbrunn, and therefore invited thefe congrega-
tions to come to Gofchachguenk, that they might prote6b
the white Brethren in their own town : but the mifflonaries
did not then apprehend this ftep to be neccflary, placing
tlieir only confidence in the Lord, who had preferved them
in fo many dangers, under the fhadow of his wings.
A m.eflage arrived foon after from the Hurons, fignifying
that they were unwilling to go to war, but found themfelves
driven to it ; adding, that the Iroquois and all the weftern
nations had united to fight agalnft the Americans, and thafc
the Delawares (hould now finally declare what party they in-
tended to join. They anfwered, that they fhould join nei-
ther, but keep the peace^ by which they hoped to be moft
benefited. That even the Americans had advifed them fo
to do, not defiring any affiftance from the Indians. This
anfwer, fent by a formal embaffy to the Hurons, was well
received, contrary to all expe£lation. It even made fuch an
impreffion upon them, that they declared to the governor of
Fort Detroit, that as he was always urging them to go
to war with the Americans, but himfelf fat down quietly,
plainly fhowing, that he merely fought the deftruclion of
the Indians, they would only have patience till to-morrow,
that is, till next fpring. If they then fiaould ftiil find, that
Part III. . K he
1 1 8 The MiJJtonaries aceufed of too great Influence. P. Ill,
h& did rtothing, they would caft all his belts at his feet, and
go to Gofchachguenk to renew their friendfhip with the
Delawares, and to Pittfburg, to make a covenant with the
American colonies. They then returned home, and defifted
from further hoftilities for the prefent.
The governor of Fort Detroit and the Huron Chief could
not comprehend why the Delaware nation was fo firm in
maintaining peace. At laft it was afcribed to the miffion-
aries and their influence upon the deliberations of the coun-
cil, and it appeared fome time after, that, already at that
time, a propofal was made to feize the miflionaries and
carry them to Fort Detroit.
CHAPTER VII.
1777.
Lamentable Divifions in Schoenbrunn. The faithful
Part of the Congregation forfake the Settlement and
emigrate to Gnadenhuetten and Lichtenau. The
Indian War becomes more general. Some MiJJtonaries
return to Bethlehem* A Troop of Huron Warrisrs
bringGnadenhuetten and Lichtenau into great Danger*
Further Mifchief is prevented* A falfe Alarm oc-
cafions the Flight of the Indian Congregation* Their
internal Courfe remains edifying*
IN the year 1777 the troubles continued. The ac-
counts of the advantage gained by the Americans over
the Englifh troops, increafed the confufion. The Shawa-
nofe refolved again to go to war, and turned a deaf ear to
their Chiefs, who advifed peace. Accounts were received
from all quarters that the favages intended to maflacre firft
the
Ch . VII. Apojacy ofChkfNenxjaUike and othrs at Schoenbrutm. 1 1 9
the white people and then all tliofe Indians, who had not
joined them in war. The miilionaries were always more
particularly threatened with death and even the time men-
tioned when they fliould be murdered.
During all thefe commotions, the Chiefs of the Dela-
Vvares remained firmly refolved, not to interfere in the war
between England and her colonies. But the Monfys, one
of the Delaware tribes, were fecretly contriving to feparate
thernfelves from the body of the nation, andto jom theMin-
gues, a fet of idle thieves and murderers. However before
they publicly avowed their fentlments, they endeavored to
gain a party among the enemies of the mlflion, of whom
there were a large number in thofe parts. At lall they even
ventured to come into our fettlenlents and fought to decoy
feme to join them.
Newallike, a Chief mentioned In the foregoing hlftory of
Friedenshuetteii on the Sufquehannah, was the firft in Schoen-
brunn who was feduced to turn back into heathenifm,
pretending, that he had in vain endeavored to believe, but
not finding it poffible, was now convinced that the Chriftiart
dodlrine was altogether a fable. Captain White Eye, who
himfelf did not belong to the believers, hearing this, an-
fwered i " You went to the Brethren, becaufe you could
*' find nothing in the world to fet your heart at eafe, and
*' firmly believed, that you had found with them all you de-
*' fired. Thefe are the very words I heaid you fpeak, and
(<
now, having hardly begun, you give up ait-eady, and re-
" turn to your former life. This is not ading the part of a
" man!" The bad example of Newallike was followed by
many, and before the miirionaries were aware, they found
In the midft of Schoenbrunn a party of apoftates, who
feemed refolved to replace heatheaifm upon the throne. So
fevere a flroke thefe fervants of God had not yet felt, and
it proved an afflitllon, infinitely greater than all their former
fufFerings. They fpared no pains, ufing every poflible ef-*
fort which love could di6late to recover thefe poor back-*
Aiders, to gain their confidence, and lead them to reflect
K % upon
120 Schoenhrunn forfahft, P. III.
upon the error of their ways, but all in vain. They there-
fore refolved, rather than enter into a difpute with fo dan-
gerous an enemy, to go out of their way. Added to this,
intelligence was received from various places, that the fa-
vages, in league with the apoftates, were on their way to
attack Schoenhrunn. Towards the end of March Brother
Zeifberger propofed to the faithful part of the congregation,
that they fliould forfake a place where the Spirit of God
had no longer the fway, and move to Lichtenau. The con-
gregation wept aloud on hearing' this propofal, but unani-
moully agreed to it, as the moft expedient in the prefent
cafe, and prepared for their removal. In the mean time the
Monfys and the apoftate party had nothing lefs in view, than
either to convey the miffionaries to Fort Detroit or to mur-
der them. But their attempts proving vain, they fpread
falfe, though very probable reports, that the miffionaries and
the believing Indians were daily in danger of being furprifed
and murdered by the Huron warriors.
Terrified by fucceeding reports, Brother Jungman and
his wife, and brother Heckenwaelder, left Schoenhrunn pre-
cipitately in the night of April 3d with the firft party of
the Chrillian Indians. By the way, feveral of the latter re-
folved to fettle at Grjadenhuetten for the prefent, the inha-
bitants of which were not Inclined to fly until they were
in greater danger j with the reft the miffionaries arrived at
Xiichtenau on the 4th. But Brother Heckenwaelder returned
foon to Schoenhrunn, where he comforted the remaining
believers, held meetings in the regular courfe, and kept as
good order as poffible; feveral idle people having already
attempted to take poiteflion of the empty houfes. April 19th
Brother Zeifberger delivered his laft difcourfe in Schoen-
brunn. The congregation was much moved, and joined in
fervent prayer for the unhappy apoftates. Afterwards the
chapel was pulled down, as ufual in fuch cafes, and all the
believers left Schoenhrunn the fame day.
It may eafily be conceived that the emigration from
Schoenbrunn, and the reception of fo many perfons in Gna-
denhuettert^
Ch. VII. Embajfy of the Delaivatvs to the Hurons, 121
denhuetten and Lichtenau, was attended with great dIfEculty
and inconvenience. The occafion of it was however by far the
greareft trouble, and an afflidlion which the miilionaries could
not fcon forget.
In this month the Chiefs of the Delawares again fent
deputies to the Hurons, among whom were two Bre-
thren from Lichtenau, to afilire them that they intended to
preferve their neutrality, and at the fame time to infrom
them, that the Delaware nation had received the word of
God, and thus publicly taken the white teachers at Lichte-
nau and Gnadenhuetten under their prote£lion. This was
done by the advice of Colonel Morgan in Pittfburg, agent
for Government, whom the Indian nations highly refpefted.
They had fecretly written to inform him of their intention,
to remove the miffionaries from the fettlements, afking his
opinion concerning it. The Colonel replied : " I can fay
*' nothing to this. The miffionaries themfelves muft know
" bed, v/hat fteps to take, for God has fent them hither.
" My opinion is, that it would be wrong to compel them to
** go away, for I cannot but confider fuch a fiep as the
" work of the devil, who feeks to hinder and dedroy the good
" work begun among the Indians. Therefore I advife and
*' defire that you endeavor to keep and prote£t them among
" you." As foon as thefe deputies arrived with the Hurons,
and it was noifed about, that two believing Indians were
among them, and that even one of them, tfaac Glikkikan,
was fpeaker of the embafly, they immediately faid : " Now
*■' we fhall hear the truth, for the believing Indians tell no
" lies." The meflage was well received both by tkem and
the Englifli Government in Detroit, and in June a very fa-
tisfa6lory anfwer followed, in which the following was faid
concerning the miffionaries : " That the Delawares fhould
" confider them as an invaluable treafure, on account of
^" the good they did among the Indians, being the promoters
" of both their temporal and fpiritual welfare. They there-
" fore ffiould deem themfelves fortunate in proteding the
" miffionariesj and by no means part with them."
K3 la
122 The Hufons offer the War-belt to the Delaivares. P. Ill,
In 1777 the Americans likewife entered into feveral trea-
ties with the Indians for peace. As they did not anfwer
the aim intended, a congrefs of all the Indian nations
was appointed to meet at Gofchachguenk in June. The
Kurons, who were not inclined for peace, found means to
prevent it, and in that fame -raonth a large party of them
went out to murder and plunder the Americans. They even
came into the neighborhood of Gnadenhuetten, and fome
Indian Sifters who were on a journey to Lichte.nau had
nearly fallen into their hands, but hearing their death-
fong at a diftance, efcaped by flight.
Towards the end of July another treaty of peace was
held at Pittfburg. It had hardly begun, when all hopes of
peace vanifhed at once, a party of Americans having fired
upon a body of Senneka Indians, who came to attend tlie
treaty. By this ftep the favages were again enraged at the
white people, confidered them altogether as traitors, and
vowed revenge.
Soon after this, an embafly of twenty deputies froni
the Hurons arrived in Gofchachguenk. They offered the
Delawares the large war-belt three times fuccefFively, de-
manding their afliflance to make war againft the colonies,
and declaring that all the nations on this and the other fide
of Lake Erie were united as one man, to fight againft the
colonies. But the Delaware Chiefs remained firmly refolved
to preferve peace, returned the war-belt, and fent word to
the Huron Chiefs, that they could not comply with their
demand, having promifed at the treaty of peace, made after
the late war, that as long as the fun fhould fhine, and the
rivers fhould flow, they would not fight againft the white
people : that therefore they had no hand left, to take up
the war-belt. The Huron Chiefs returned home, , much
difpleafed with this anfwer, and nothing appeared more pro-
bable, than that the Delawares, and of courfe our fettle-
ments would foon be attacked by the furrounding favages.
The miflTionaries were now continually in danger of their
lives. Indeed the believing Indians guarded them by day and
night
Ch. VII. Ifaac Glikkikan's Speech to the Hurotis. 1 23
night with great faithfalncfs : but as the danger increafed,
it was refolved to fend fome of them home. In May,
Brother Heckenwaelder, and in Auguft, Brother Jungman
and his wife returned to Bethkhem. The latter having
ferved the Indian congi-egation for feven years, felt great
pain at parting with their beloved flock. God preferved
them in many dangers and brought them fafe to Bethlehem.
On the very day after th>;ir fetting out, intelligence was
received at Lichtenau that two hundred Huron warriors,
headed by their fo-called Half-king, were on their march to
that place. This caufed a general alarm. After mature
confideration the Brethren refolved to fhow no figns of fear,
but to gain thefe favages by giving them a kind reception.
Oxen and pigs were killed and other food provided, and the
liberality of the Indian Brethren and Sifters in contribut-
ing to thefe preparations was truly remarkable, for they con-
fidered it as the only means of faving the lives of their be-
loved teachers. Auguft the 8th, the warriors arrived in
Gofchachguenk, and upon their meeting a number of our
Indians from Lichtenau, carrying provifions for them, their
furprize and pleafure were equally great. The good hu-
mor which this occafioned was improved by the affnlants,
who foon after fent a folemn embafly to the Half-king and
other Chiefs of the Hurons, Ifaac Gllkkikan being fpcaker.
To give my readers an idea how the Chriftian Indians ad-
drefs warriors on fuch occafions, I will infert his fpeech as
delivered on the fpot :
" Uncle ! we, your coufins, the congregation of believing
" Indians at Lichtenau and Gnadenhuettcn, rejoice at this
*' opportunity to fee and fpeak with you. We cleanfe your
" eyes from all the duft and whatever the wind may have
" carried into them, that you may fee your coufm with clear
" eyes and a ferene countenance. We cleanfe your ears and
" hearts from all evil reports which an evil wind may have
*' conveyed into your ears and even into your hearts on the
*' journey, that our words may find entrance into your ears
" and a place in your hearts." Here he delivered a ftring
K4 of
124 '"^^^ Half-king's Reply to GliUikan's Speech, P. IH,
of wampom and proceeded : " Uncle ! hear the words of
*' the believing Indians, your coufins, at Lichtenau and
*' Gnadenhuetten. We would have you know, that we
*' have received and believed in the word of God for thirty
*' years and upwards, and meet daily to hear it, morning
*' and evening. You muft alfo know, that we have our
** teachers dwelling amongft us, who inftruft us and our
*' children. By tliis word of God, preached to us by ouri
** teachers, we are taught to keep peace with all men, and
*' to confider them as friends j for thus God has commanded
*' us, and therefore we are lovers of peace. Thefe our
<' teachers are not only our friends, but we confider and
*' love them as our own flefh and blood. Now as we are
*' your coufin, we moft earneftly beg of ypu, UncleJ
*' that you alfo would confider them as your own body,
*' and as your coufin. We and they make but one body,
*' and therefore cannot be feparated, and whatever you do
*' unto them, you do unto us, whether it be good or evil."
Hereupon another firing of wampom, feveral fathoms In
lengtli, was delivered. The Half-king replied, that thefe
words had penetrated his heart, and that he would imme-?
diately confult with his warriors about them. This being
done, he returned the following anfwer to the deputies :
•' Coufins ! I am very glad and feel great fatisfa6lion that
*' you have cleanfed my eyes, ears, and heart from all evil,
*' conveyed into me by the wind on this journey. I am upon
*' an expedition of an unufual kind : for I am a warrior and
" am going to war, and therefore many evil things, and evil
*' thoughts enter into my head, and even into my heart.
** But thanks to my coufin, my eyes are now clear, fo that
*' I can behold my coufin Mnth a ferene countenance. I
" rejoice, that I can hear my coufins with open ears and
*' take their words to heart." He then delivered a firing
of wampom, and repeating all the words of the deputies;
relating to the millionaries, he exprelTed his approbation of
them, and added, " Go on as hitherto, and fufFer no one
*^ to mckil you. Obey your teachers, who fpeak nothing
^' but
Ch. VII. The Half -ling v'ljits L'lchtenau. j 25
** but good unto you and inftrudl you in the ways of God,
*' and be not afraid that any harm {hall be done unto them.
*' No creature (liall hurt them. Attend to your worfhip and
** never mind other affairs. Indeed you fee us going to war j
*' but you may remain eafy and quiet, and need not think
?' much about it, &c."
During thefe tranfadions the Brethren at Lichtenau v.^ere
under great apprehenfions, fearing the event. The deputies
had therefore agreed, that as foon as they fhould perceive,
that the Half-king fpoke in an angry tone, they would fend
a meffenger full fpeed to Lichtenau, before He concluded
his fpeech, that the whole congregation might take flight.
So much the greater v/as the joy of all, when the affair
took fo favorable a turn, and every one felt himfelf excited
to thank and praife the Almighty Savior of his people, for
having heard the numberlefs fighs and prayers offered up to
him at this critical jundure. The word of Scripture for the
day was : " ^ing aloud unto Cod our Jlrength : make a joyful
*' noife unit the God of Jacob .'" Pf. Ixxxi. I. This was done
with one accord and with a full heart.
The fame day the Half-king, the chief captain and eightyr
two warriors came to Lichtenau. They were firft fhown
into the fchool-houfe, where the miffionaries Zeifberger and
William Edwards received them. They fhook hands with
rU they met, and the Half -king fpoke as follows: *' We
" rejoice to fee our father, and to take him by the hand :
^' from this time forth wq will coufider you as our father,
" and you fhall own and confider us as your children, nor
" fhall any thing ever difturb your minds in this refpedV,
t' but our covenant (hall remain firm for ever. We will alfo
*' acquaint the other nations with the proceedings of this
" day, and they will doubtlefs rejoice." Brother Zeif-
berger anfwered this friendly compliment in a proper man-
ner, after which the miffionaries and fome Indian Brethren
dined with the Half-king and his officers under a hut made
of green boughs : the other warriors feated themfelves in
the fhade in front of the place, and were fo richly provided
with
jz6 Account of Gnadenhuetten and Lichtenau. P. III.
vith food, that after having made a hearty meal, each could
carry a large portion with him to Gofchachguenk, to which
place they all returned in the evening. The Half-king then
fent meflengers to the Englilh governor in Detroit, and to
the Chiefs in the Huron country to give them an account of
the covenant made with the believing Indians, adding, that
he and his warriors had acknowledged the white Brethren
to be their father, and would ever own them as fuch.
The news of the favorable turn of this dangerous affair
not having reached Gnadenhuetten in time, the miffionary
!Prother Schmick and his wife were perfuaded, upon the
reprefentation of the Indian afliftants, who were much
alarmed, to fly to Pittfburg, from whence they proceeded to
Bethlehem. •
Thus the two mifljonarieSjZeifbergerandWilliamEdwards,
were left alone, to ferve two congregations, twenty miles afun-
der, with no other profpe£l, but that of fucceflive troubles.
The pain they felt under thefe circumftances may be more
eafily conceived than defcribed, But God comforted them
and ftrengthened their faith fo powerfully, that they renew-
ed their covenant, to remain firm in the fervice of the
Indian congregations, and even to fuffer death itfelf. Bro-
ther Zeifberger ftaid in Lichtenau and Brother Edwards
went to Gnadenhuetten. Yet they paid mutual vifits,
participating in each other's weal and woe, edifying and
encouraging each other. They now plainly perceived,
how great a favor the Lord had conferred upon them, by
permitting the covenant between the Indian congregation
and the Huron warriors to take place at this time. Without
this they could not have continued to exercife any minifterial
funftions, or mud have done it in fecret. But now they
could go fafely about in the country, and even to the wildeJl
favages, who treated them with refpeft and kindnefs. Many
of the latter attended the public worfhip at Lichtenau,
nor did their behavior ever caufe the leaft difturbance.
Brother Zeifberger received every day vifits from people
who came to falute him as their father, and fomc, who were.
ill,
Ch. "VII. Account of Gnadenhuetten and Lichtetiau. 1317
ill, were mucli pleafed by his willingnefs and dexterity ii|
granting them relief.
A great number of other warriors, Hurons, Iroquois, Otta-
waws, Chippaways, Shawanofe, Wampanos, Petawontakas,
and fome French, joined the Half-king. He kept good order,
and would not fuffer any extravagance. Sometimes above
200 warriors lay all night clofe to Lichtenau, but behaved fo
quietly, that they were hardly perceived, which, among fo
wild and fierce a people, was a matter of aftonifhment. The
Half-king was particularly attentive to prevent all drunken-
nefs, knowing that bloodlhed and murder would immediately
follow. He even fent to the Brethren to know, whether his
people behaved well, and was glad to hear a good account of"
them.
The maintenance of fo many warriors, and the great num-
bers who came by hundreds dancing before every houfe, to
beg bread and tobacco, became at lad very troublefome to the
inhabitants of Lichtenau, They were therefore glad to fee
them march off on the 22d arjd 23d of Auguft, efpecially as
fo much rum had been lately imported from Pittfburg into
thefe parts, that the whole country around became at lafb one
fcene of drunkennefs and riot, and the noife and uproar in-
fupportable. But it was now to be feared that the friendly
behavior of the Hurons, who were of theEnglifli party, might
give umbrage to the white people living on the Ohio, and the
Delaware Chiefs were hardly able to keep their young war-
riors quiet, as they v^ere under continual apprehenfions of be-
ing attacked by the Americans. 4-fter fome time intelligence
was received, that feveral plans had been formed to furprize
and deftroy Lichtenau, Gnadenhuetten, and other Delaware
towns. But God in mercy defeated them all.
Towards autumn the fituation of affairs appeared ilill more
precarious. A dreadful account was received, that an Ameri-
can general had arrived in Pittfburg, who denied quarter to
3ny Indian, whether friend or foe, being refolved to deftroy
them all. This made the Delawares at length take up arms,
jilledging, that they muft die, whether they fought or not.
Report
128 Sudden Alarm. P. HI,
Report added, that the Americans would foon march into
Gofchachguenk, and one account after the other proclaimed
their approach. The Delaware warriors therefore joined
the Hurons, who were ftill in the neighborhood. But the
Indian congregation firmly refolved not to take the leafh fhare
in the war, and to exclude from their fellowfliip all who did.
They could at prefent take no other determination, than to be
ready for flight. A fpot of ground on the Walhalding was
fixed upon, as a place of rendezvous for the congregations
of Lichtenau and Guadenhuetten, and each family packed
up their goods. September-iyth, at night, an exprefs arriv-
ed at Lichtenau and Gnadenhuetcen, with an account of
the approach of the enemy. Both congregations imme-
diately fled with their teachers in canoes, and indeed with
fuch precipitation, that they left the greater part of their goods
behind. They met, as agreed, at the abovementioned place
on the Walhalding, where' they encamped, hourly expeft-
ing to hear of a bloody engagement in the neighborhood of
Lichtenau. Happily before day-break a meflage arrived, that,
what had been taken for the American army was nothing but
a great number of horfes in the woods. However both congre-r.
gations remained logethcr on the i8th, to fee and converfe
with each other, and their mutual brotherly love and cordi-
ality was truly edifying. On the following day they all re?
turned to their refpedive homes.
September 23d, late at night, another meflage arrived
from an American General, and the abovementioned
Colonel Morgan in Pittlhurg, afluring the Delawares that
they had nothing to fear from the Americans. But before
the truth was known, a report was fpread at Lichtenau that
the Americans were in the neighborhood, and every one
was again preparing to efcape. Brother Zeifberger therefore
affembled the congregation after midnight, and acquainted
them with the true contents of the meflage from Pittfburg,
upon which all went chearfully to reft. The Delaware
Chiefs returned nov/ to their former fyftem of peace.
Ch. VII. Account of Gnadenhietten and Lichtenau. 129
In the beginning of 0£lober, an engagement took place
between a party of Hurons and a troop of American free-
booters, who went contrary to the exprefs order of the
Governor of Pittfburg, to deftroy the Delaware towns, and
confequently our fettlements among the reft. They were
entirely defeated by the Half-king, who killed the greateft;
part of them.
Soon after accounts were received at Lichtenau, that the
Delawares on the Cayahaga and Walhalding prepared to go
to war. As thefe proceedings threatened danger both to
them and the congregations of believing Indians, Brother
Zeifberger fent a ferious remonfbrance to the council of the
Delawares in Gofchachguenk, pofitively declaring that the
believing Indians would forfake the country, as foon as the
Delawares went to war.
On this account, the Chiefs in all places were affembled to
a general council, in which a refolution was taken 061- 31 ft,
to preferve peace and neutrality without exception.
During this period of confufion and calamity, when the
fpirit of murder and the power of darknefs greatly prevailed,
the work of God proceeded unmolefhed amongft our Indians,
The miffionaries reported that a revival of grace, and fuch.
harmony and brotherly afFe£lion appeared anlong the baptiz-
ed, as is generally obferved in their firft love. Amidft all
the difturbances occafioned by the daily marches of warriors
through the fettlements, they not only did not lofe their cou-
rage, but were led by various trials to cleave the more clofeiy
to the Lord, and to feek help from him. The grace of God
was fenfibly felt in all the meetings, and the public preaching
of the Gofpel at Lichtenau, was fo numeroully attended by
ftrange Indians, that there was want of room. Many wers
baptized, and fome who had been baptized in other commu-
nities, were received as members of the Brethren's congre-
tion. The Indian affillants were peculiarly fuccefsful in,
bearing their teftimony of the truth. Several went to Gofch-
achguenk, to declare the Gofpel to the fick, who could not
•some to Lichtenau, and theijf vifits were richly blefled. Some
lieathen
1^6 Converfton of Chtef Welapachtfchtechett. P; lit.
heathen teachers indeed attempted to oppofe them, but riot
being able to withiland the power' of God, they were con-
founded. There was alfo fo great an awakening among the
unbaptized children both at Llchtenau and Gnadenhuetten,
that the parents knew not how to comfort their children,
who wept, begging moft fervently to be baptized. Among
thefe were the children of an unbaptized Chief fi-om AfTiiiingk,
called Welapachtfchiechen, living at Lichtenau. The father
came one day to the miflionary, faying, that he could not
bear to fee his children lyirtg on their facesi weeping day and
right, knowing that he could not help^ but only weep with
them, and that at laft he confidered himfelf the caufe of their
affli£lion. He therefore would recommend them to the
miflionary, befeeching him not to delay their baptifm on his
account, adding, that he fliould greatly rejoice, if they were
preferred and received holy baptifm before him. The
fame Chief addrefled the whole council in Gofchachguenk in
the following words: *' Brethren and friends! We hear
*' alarming accounts from all places, let us tlierefore pray to
" God our Savior with fo much the greater fervor, that he
*' would help us through thefe times of danger, for we now
" Hand moft in need of his help. I dare not as yet confider
" myfelf as belonging to the believers \ but yet, I affure you,
" that I will live and die with thefe people. Where
** the Brethren live, there will I live alfo. Whither they
*' go, I will follow them. I {hall count it a great favor, to
*' die amongft them, and if even I fliould not experience the
" grace to be baptized, yet it Ihall be once faid of me, ' Here
" lies Welapachtfchiechen, who, though he could not be
** baptized, yet remained a follower of the Chrifl:ian congre*
" gation to his death." After this declaration his relations
threatened to kill him, unlefs he left the Brethren. But he
was as little influenced by their prefent threats as by their
former flattery, and was foon after baptized. Another
awakened Indian, who had obtained leave to live with the
Brethren, informed the council of his intentions, declaring
that lie fhould not only leave off drunkennefs, but renounce
the
Ch. VII. Account of Gnadenhiietten and Lichtenau. 1 31
the heathen manner of living, and remove to Gnadenhuetten.
The council praifed his refolution, and anfwered : '* You
** have chofen the bed and the fafeft way ; for if you move
" to Gnadenhuetten, we can believe that you will ceafe to be
" a drunkard, for we know that the believing Indians arc
" fober people." The Lord granted the miffionaries that
confolation alfo, to fee many of thofe who were unfaithful
laft fpring, return as repenting prodigals, begging for pardon
and readmiffion. One of thefe, who lay ill of a painful dis-
order, was vifited by the miffionary, to whom he confelTed
that he himfelf was the only caufe of all his mifery, but added,
that his heart was dead and had no confidence in our Savior,
becaufe whenever he thought of returning unto him, he was
immediately checked by the greatnefs of his fins againfl: God
and his people, having not only forfaken them, but even
fpread many evil reports among the favages. He was afliu-ed,
that he might ftill obtain mercy and forgivenefs through Jefus
Chrift, who had received gifts for the rebellious alfo, and
at his crucifixion prayed even for his murderers. This
proved a word of confolation to his diftrefled heart.
CHAPTER VIII.
1778. 1779. ^7^^' 1781.
Conthiuation of the Indian War, Danger and gracious
Prefervation of the Indian Congregations and their
teachers. Gnadenhuetten quitted, and again inhabit-
ed. Schoenbrunn rebuilt. Lichtenau forfaken^ and
Salem built. The Work of God co?itinues to increafe
• in the midji of Trouble. Brother Grubc, Minijier of
IJtiz, vijits the Indian Corigregation.
THE war between England and the United States of
America, occafioned a continuation of hoftilities
among the Indian nations. From 1776 to the middle of
1781
i^i. Cruelties committed by the Sava^es^ I*i llL
1 78 1 nothing very decifive was done, and the war confifted
chiefly in fmall excurfions, which though troublefome in a
high degree, were yet not productive of much interruption
to the Indian congregation. I fliall therefore be more brief in
my defcription of this period. It proved a peculiar fatisfac-*
tion to the miflionaries that amidil all difficulties, their cor-^
refpondence with the Brethren in Pennfylvania was uninter-
tupted, and as the congregations there were likewife great
fufFerers by the war, they fympathized with and encourag-
ed each other to endure in patience and faith, hoping con*
lidently for the help of the Lord.
TheHuronscontinuedto commit hoftilitiesagainft the United
States, and the moft dreadful accounts were received from
time to time of the murders and ravages committed by them
and other Indians in the plantations of the white people; and
alfo of the fame cruellies exercifed againft the Indians by the
latter. The mifTionaries and their people were likewife much
affedled, when on the return of the favage warriors from
thei^ murderous expedition, they faw them lead prifoners of
both fexes fome of whom were wounded and fome fmall
children, or carrying dead bodies and fcalpS through the fet-
tlement. Our Indians Ihowed great compaflion to the pri-
foners, gave them food, and would never fufFer them to be
fcourged or otherwlfe abufed in the fettlement, as the Indian
cuftom is, whenever they pafs through any town with prifon-
.ers. Sometimes the brutal favages were greatly enraged at
this compaflionate prohibition, but they were obliged to
obey.
Among thefe prifoners was an okl man, of venerable ap-
pearance, and two youths. Our Indians greatly commife- ,
rated the former and offered a large fura to the warriors, fot .
his releafe, but in vain. When they arrived at their dwelling-
place, the two young men v»'ere tortured and burnt alive, m
the cruel manner defcribed in the firfl part of this hiftory.
The old i-nan was condemned to fufFer the fame treatmenti
but being informed of it by a child, he contrived his
efcape, was fortunate enough to feizc an horfe and fled into
thft
Ch. VIII. G nadenhuett&n forfaken. 133
'the v/oods. The favages purfued him, but he arrived fafe at
a place in the neighborhood of Lichtenau, and not being able
to proceed through hunger, having eaten nothing but grafs
for ten days, an Indian Brother found him lying in the wood,
mare like a corpfe than a living creature, fo that he had
much trouble to bring him to Lichtenau, where he was well
nurfed. He exclaimed: "Merciful God, be praifed, that
*' thou. haft brought rne, wretched creature, to a Chriftian
** people ! If it be thy will, that I die in this place, I am
*' happy and contented." But he recovered and was after-
wards brought to Pittfburg. During this period roany troops
of warriors were fo far prevailed upon by the friendly and
rcafonable perfuafions of our Indian Brethi-en, that they gave
up their murderous int^tions and returned home, by which
much bloodflied was prevented. Sometimes however the be-
lieving Indians had no other way of defending themfislves
againft the robberies and outrages of the warriors, paffing
either through or near the fettlement, than by fending
deputies to reprefent the injuftice of their proceedings and de-
livering firings of v/ampom.
Thefe troubles were chiefly felt at Gnadenhuetten. Free-
booters belonging to the v>'hite people infefted every quarter,
and endangered the lives of our Indians. They were
therefore invited to come and fettle at Lichtenau for the
prefent, and removed thither in April 1778. Thus three
Indian congregations lired on one fpot ; the chapel at Lich-
tenau was enlarged and new houfes were built.
In the mean time the Delav/are Chiefs were repeatedly
called upon by the governor of Fort Detroit and the Indian
nations in his interell to go to war, threats being often added
to intreaties. But they remained firm and were fupported
in their amicable refolutions by the good influence of the
milfionarics and their Indian afuftants, who thought it a
duty owing both to the Indian congregations and to the
country at large to aflTift in preferving the peace, as by the
neutrality of the Delawares, many" other Indian nations
were kept quiet, not being willing to offend the Delaware .
Part III. L nation,
134 'Tke Delawares go to War. P. HI.
nation, whom they called their grandfather. The govern-
ment at Pittfburg owned the; deportment of the Indian con-
gregation to be a benefit conferred upon the whole country,
and Colonel Morgan obferved with gratitude, that the fury
of the Indian warriorij was upon the whole greatly mitigated
by the behavior of their Chriltian countrymen.
Thus the miffion enjoyed reft and peace for a confiderable
time, which was the more agreeable, as the troubles had
been of long continuance. But the evil-minded Monfys pcr-
fifted unweariedly in their endeavors to fet the other Indian na-
tions againft the Delawares, and efpecially againft the believ-
ing Indians and their teachers. Added to this, the United
States began now to call upon the Delawares to make war
againft the Indians in the Englifh intereft. This caufed the
chiefs to waver in their refolutions, and at length they re-
folved to join the Englifti. They not only loft their friendfliip
for the miflionaries and the Chriftian Indians, who perfevered
in their amicable difpoGtion, but by degrees became their ene-
mies. They now confidered all peaceful people as a check
upon their wild behavior, and humanly fpeaking, the Chrift-
ian Indians had now nothing but ruin before them, the Eng-
lifh Indians having unanimoufly refolved in a council held
at Detroit, that the hatchet Ihould fall upon the head
every one, who fiiould refufe to accept it. Thofe in league
with the United States being of the fame mind, the believers
were now between two enemies. The firft ftep taken againft
them was a ferious and repeated charge fent by the Dela-
ware Chiefs to the young men to take up arms. This they
firmly refufed to do, though their fituation was rendered very
critical, through a malicious report raifed by the Delawares,
that the Chriftian Indians intended to take part with the Ame-
ricans. The mifiionaries were inthegreateft danger, for to
their authority and influence alone, their refufal was afcribed.
The favfiges therefore frequently repeated their threats, that
the miffionaries ftiould be either killed, or carried away pri-
foners, as they flattered themfelves that if thefe were removed,
the Indian congregation would foon be forced to comply.
3 About
idj
of
ue /
Ch. VIII. Jttcmpts to carry off the M^Jlonarles. I35
About this time there appeared numerous Inftances of
the prefervation of God. In fummer 1778 the mif-
fionaries received certain information, that the governor of
Detroit intended to fend a party of Englifh and Indians
to carry them ofF. Some time after they heard that his de- .
fign . was fruilrated by the fudden death of the captain ap- |
pointed to command this expedition, whofe flation could not
be immediately fupplied. Another officer charged the Indians
to bring the miffionaries dead or alive. They indeed promif-
ed, but afterwards negle£l:ed to fulfil their word. During
the fummer of 1779 they were in the mod imminent danger,
and knew no way to efcape. An army confifbing of Englifh
and Indians, marching from Fort Detroit to Fort Lawrence
arrived in Tulkarawi on this fide of the Huron towns, and
the commanding officer intended to come into the neighbor-
hood of our fettlements and to take the mifilonaries prifoners.
But fuddenly the news of an attack of the Americans upon //
the Indian country caufed all the Indians in his army to for-
fake him, upon which he was obliged to return to Detroit.
Brother Schebofch on a journey to Pittfburg, got between
two parties, one purfuing the other, and did not hear of his
danger till after his efcape. Several meflengers fent out by
the Brethren upon ncceflliry bufinefs to various places were
in danger of being murdered by people, lying purpoiely in
ambufli, but God preferved their lives.
That word of fcripture was aifo frequently fulfilled, " The
" Lord bringeth the coimfd of the heathen to nought .• he maleth
" the devices cfthe people of none effeB.'' The Half-king of the
Hurons cautioned the miffionaries to be upon their guard,
having received authentic information, that a plot was laid
againft their lives, but particularly againft Brother Zeifberger.
Some malicious people took great pains to publiHi a falfe
report, that this miffionary was going over to the Americans
witl>all the baptized Indians. The great danger he was in
being mentioned to him by letter, his anfwer was : '' If I am
" in danger, I cannot prevent it, but I commit my work,
" my fate and my future courfe to my gracious Lord and
L 2 ** Mafteti
136 ' Various Troubles. P. III.
" Mafler, whom I ferve. I remain chearful and confident,
** though I fhall ufe all caution, not to expofe myfelf without
*' neceflity." Once he had a very narrow efcapc. A white
man from Sanduiky, meeting with another who headed a
troop of robbers and murderers of the Mingues nation, heard
him fay, that he hoped to be fortunate enough to carry either
all or at leaft one of the white Brethren to Detroit. This was
related to Brother Zeifberger, but being accuftomed to fuch
threats, he difregarded them and went about as ufual. Being
upon a journey with two Indian Brethren, this white man
met him with eight Mingues and a prifoner. As foon
as he faw the milTionary, he called to the party ; " See
" here is the man whom we have long wiflied to fee and to
" fecure ; do now as you think proper !" The captain of
the Mingues faid nothing in reply, but fnook his head. After
a few queftions they walked off. An officer marching from
Detroit to Fort Lawrence in 1779 told a white man, that one
of his principal views in this expedition was to carry off the
miffionaries, efpecially Zeifberger. Upon his reprefenting
to him, that the miffionaries had done no harm to theEnglifh,
but were of great benefit in civilizing the Indians, the
officer replied, that this was well known, but that if they
were removed, then not only the Dehuvares but many other
tribes would join their army.
All the accounts received about this time agreed, that the
deftrudlion of the Indian congregations was refolved upon.
This proved a great temptation to fuch as were not well
eftablifhed in the faith, and their fears prevailed upon them to
leave the Brethren for a time. But in this circumftance, the
mercy of the Lord was peculiarly evident. He had patience
with their weaknefs, and preferved them from the fnares of
fin, fo that they did not fuffer damage in their fouls. They
foon returned, and were affiamed of their want of faith.
The political divifions among the Delawares Increafed
daily. Several took flight, but knew not for what reafon.
Yet they left their homes, their plantations and crops. Our
Indians remained quiet, depending upon God, and many of
them
Ch. VIII. Gtmdenhuette?! and ^choenhrunnrehu'iH. 137
them found, even in this evil day, an opportunity to bear
witnefs to the truth. An American General had once ^
a long convevfation with the Indian Brother John Mar-
tin, putting various queftions to him concerning his faith ayd
other things, which he anfwered to the General's fatisfatlion
and aftonifliment. John Martin then added : " Indeed I
" cannot read in the Bible, but I know what is written in it,
" having been inilru(£led by my teachers. Now the General
*' may read the Bible himfelf, and fobn know, wliether what
" I fay of God, be true." — " Very true," replied the General, \
*' all you have faid is true, and I am glad to fee an Indian V
'' like you. I am now convinced that you are no more hea- 1
" then, but Chriftian Indians, and I will affiil and ferve you,
*' as much as lies in my power."
As the Indian congregations were continually troubled by
falfe alarms, Colonel Gibfon gave the miffionaries an invita-
tion, to retire with their people to Fort Lawrence or at leaft
to fettle in the neighborhood of this fort. This was the more
defirabie to the governor of Pittiburg, as the troops of the
United States were obHged to fpare the enem.y on account of
our fettlements, but if they were removed, he knew they
would have none but enemies to deal with. This kind offer
could however not be accepted with propriety, as the war
was always mod violent near the forts. Fort Lawrence was
even once beneged by the Indians and at length forfaken by
the Americans. The Shawanofe gave likew^ife a friendly in-
vitation to all the believing Mahikans or Monfy Indians in
the congregation, to move into their country, bring their
teachers with them and keep to their modes of wordiip. But
the congregation M^ould not be divided, and remained quiet.
It foon appeared that Lichtenau was too much crowded
with inhabitants. A refolution was therefore taken in 1779
that part of the congregation fliould return to Gnaden-
huetten, and that Schoenbrunn fhould be rebuilt, though not
upon the fame fpot. but on the oppofite bank of the Muik-
ingum. Gnadenhuetten was foon refcored to its" former
order and Brother Edwards appointed minifter. The build-
L Q inpr
138 L'tchUnau forfahn. Salem built. P. IIL
ing of Schoenbrunn was attended -with greater difficulties
than ufual. That part of the congregation, which had gone
thither with Brother Zeifbergcr, dwelt for the greater part of
the year in huts, and met to worfliip in the open air, till at
length they could move into the new town in December
1779, and confecrate the church.
Lichtenau had been fervedby Brother John Heckenwaelder,
who returned to the milTion with Brother Schebofch, and ever
fince 1778, and hitherto been always the iitteft and fafeft
place of refidence for the Chriftian Indians, but now the
people of Gofchachguenk, having changed their minds with
refpedl to them, endeavored to moleft them, in variouS^Vv^ays.
The robberies, drunkennefs, and confequent outrages, in-
cefTantly committed by the favages, became an infupportable
burthen to the congregation. Added to this, the warriors
made it now a conftant practice to pafs through Lichtenau.
It was therefore thought mod prudent to quit this place,
and build a new fettlement. A fpot about five miles
below Gnadenhuetten was fixed upon, and the fettle-
ment called Salem. Mai'ch 30th, 1780, the laft meet-
ing was held at Lichtenau, and the congregation united
to praife God for all the blefhngs received from him
in this place. The, chapel was then pulled down and the
congregation fet out: but though Salem was only twenty
miles from Lichtenau, a week was fpent in performing
the journey, as they were obliged to row againfl the flream.
The building of this new fettlement, was by the afliftance of
the Brethren from Schoenbrunn and Gnadenhuetten and the
diligence of its inhabitants carried on with fuch expedition,
that already on the 22d of May the new chapel could be con-
fecrated. The day after they partook of the holy communion,
and on the 28th, baptifm was adminiftered for the firft time
at Salem. In December 1780 the buildings were completed
and many flrange Indians vifited this fettlement.
But even here the evil-minded Delaware Chiefs fought to
moleft our Indians. They agreed that all the Inhabitants of
Gofchachguenk, who would not go to war, fhould fettle in
the
Ch. VIII. Internal State of the Mijfton. 139
the vicinity of Salem. All remonftrances made by oUr In-
dians, were in vain. Their evil intentions were however
fruftrated.
As to the internal ftate of the congregation, this period
was diftinguifhed by particular grace. The miffionaries lived
in harmony, ferving the Lord with gladnefs. Among the
Indian Brethren and Sifters brotherly love bore the fway, and
it was a pleafure to obferve the willingnefs with which they
avoided every thing that might tend to difturb it. The labor
of the Holy Ghoit in their hearts was fo evident, that the
milhonaries forgot all their fuiFerings for joy. A fermon
preached upon our Savior's parable of the fower, gave occa-
fion to many to examine their hearts. One faid that he had
found himfelf defcribed in it, for with him the feed had fallen
by the way-fide and was trodden down and eaten up by the
birds. Another was afraid that the word had fallen among
thorns, becaufe he found his good refolutions ftriving
againft thofe that were bad, and that he could not devote
himfelf wholly unto the Lord. A third complained that his
heart was yet ftony, in which the word could not take root.
But the moft, not being able to deny that in them the gracious
word of the Gofpel had fallen upon good ground, thanked
our Savior in ftillnefs for fuch undeferved mercy. A milhon-
ary fpeaking with an Indian Brother previous to the Lord's
fupper, addreffed him thus : " Tell me, how is your heart
" difpofed at prefent ?" He replied : *' You could not have
<' allced me a more agreeable queftion : I am ready to anfwer
♦< it every day, and if you was even to wake me at night, I
" fliould want no time to confider, for our Savior has given
*' me fuch an heart, that I am as v/illing to lay my wants and
" deficiencies open before my brethren, as to defcribe the
" happincfs I enjoy." One of the baptized complained to
his teachers, " that he had loft our Savior." He was alked,
what he meant by this exprellion, and replied : '< I thought I
** would lead a life altogether void of offence, and uieU to
" judge othtrs who have been longer in the congregation tlun
" myfelf, whenever I thought them guilty of any thin.^
-L 4 ** whici
140 Internal ^taie of the M'ljjion. P. Ill,
*' which appeared to me not quite conformable to the con-
" du£l of a child of God. I was refolved to be better than
" they, and to keep all the promifes I had made to our Savior.
** At lenfth I was fitisiied with myfelf, forgot Flim, and am,
" now an orphan without him." Another of the newly bap-
tized faid to his mother and friends in Gofchachguenk :
" You are perhaps of opinion, that there is nothing real in
*' the great' Gofpel of Chiiil: and his atonement, and that vi^e
** only talk of it. I alfo thought fo formerly, and made it a
** laughing-ftock. But now I can inform you by experience
** that it is great and marvellous, and that the power of God
** feizes and melts my heart, when I hear what our Savior has
*' done and fuffered for us, and how much it coft him to de~
*' liver us loft and undone human creatures from the power of
*' Satan." Two* old men began to queflion a baptized youth
concerning his faith, and one of them challenged him to
fpend the night with him in difpute, faying, that he wifhed
to fee whether a mere boy would be able to give proper
anfwers to the quefcions and arguments of an hoary head.
But before their converfation had lafted long, the pld man
declared himfelf fatisfied, and admoniflied the youth to re-
main among tlie believers as long as he lived, adding, " I am
*' too old and callous, to think of believing." Another bap-
tized Indian declared to a vifitor ; " I now do not believe
" our white teachers in things relating to my falvation, be-
" caufe the'^ fay fo ; but before I v/as baptized I was con-
*^ vinced of my forlorn eftate and then learnt to believe, that
" Jefus Chrift is my Savior, and Redeemer. After my bap-
" tifm, I experienced a total change within me. My heart
" was filled with the love of God and I was inexprefhbly
''happy. I ftill feel the fame, becaufe our Savior has for-
" given me my. fins and wafhed me in his precious blood."
During the public fermon, there was frequently fuch a
general emotion and weeping, that the miflionary was oblig-
ed to flop. Many vifitors were overpowered by the grace of
God, and as many as became obedient to the Gofpel, were
baptized. Among the latter were twa white perfons, John
■ - Leath
Cli. VIII. Liter ual State of the M'ljfion. T4I
I^eath and Ills wife. He hr.d In^ed mzny years amono; the
Indians, and his v^ife was taken by the lavages as a child of
Iialf a year old. Some ftrange Indians, hearing that miracles
were wrought at Lichtenau, came to fee and hear of them.
The Indian Brethren afferted, that undoubtedly miracles
were done even now, of whiqh they had perhaps never heard
in their lives, and then related, that God the Creator of ail
things was manifell in the' llefli to fave fmners, and that he
did now fave them, even here in Lichtenau. That this his
love to us was above all comprehenfion, and that v/e fnouJd
even in eternity never ceafe to marvel at the wonders of
his grace. The heathen heard this teftimony with great
attention, and as Ifaac Glikkikan, one of thefe v/itnefies of
Jefus, rofe to retire to reft, it being midnight, one of the
heathen, his former companion, flopped liim, faying : " We
*^' ufed formerly to fpend many a night in feafting and drink-
" ing, and never felt difpofedto fleep ; let us for once pafs
" a night in confidering this great fubjccl, and fpeak
" fully about it." Ifaac gladly confented and tlius they
fpent the night in aficing and anfwering quefHons concern-
ing what the Lord Jefus had done and fuiFered for us. A
ftrange Indian, from the banks of the Miffifippi, came to
Salem, and having given the miffionary a- circumilantial
account of his travels, of the face of the country on the
MilFifippi and of its inhabitants, added: " Thus have I
" roved about, till I am grov/n old and grey. I have taken
" great pains to ^Txi. fofnething profitable for myfelf and my
" children, but have not found any thing good. With you
" I find at once all I wanted ; and the caufe of my ftayino- fo
" long is, that I may hear as much as polTible, and have
" foniething to relate to my countrymen, on my return." A
heathen woman faid to one of the baptized Indians after a
fermon : " I could very well live- among you, and believe in
" God, for I am not as bad and wicked as many others, but
" have always avoided every fmful praftice." The Indian
Brother replied : " I once thought the fame of myfelf, and
*' efleemed myfelf more righteous than other Indians. But
" during
142 Ititerml State of the Mi/Jtoti. P. III.
" during a difcourfe I was convinced, that I was the worft of
'* all, I even thought that our Savior had fufFered more on
«' my account. Upon this I caft myfelf at his feet with all my
*' fins, and he forgave me. Now I know of no other good
*' in me, but that I am a ranfomed finncr, and fliall
*' live eternally with my Redeemer. This is enough for
*' me." Abraham an afiiftant, clofed a difcourfe to the
vifitors with the following v/ords : ** Now v/e have told you,
*' how you may be faved. If you believe, you will experience
*' that our words are truth. But if you do not, we have
*' however done what we ought to do, and you will never be
*' able to fay, that you went to the believing Indians, but
** they would not tell you how to be faved." An Indian
from the river WabaOi inquired very minutely of the Indian
Brethren at Lichtenau, what their faith was, and what could
poflibly cement them fo together, adding, that he believed
it to be fome myfterious charm. In anfwer to this, his own
brother, who was baptized, took occafion to declare unto
him the love and mercy of Jefus Chrift with great energy.
But before he had proceeded far, he was Hopped by the
heathen, who exclaimed : " I have enough ; ceafe, I be-
*' feech you, for your words pierce me to the foul. I
" cannot exprefs what I feel ; but this 1 perceive, that if I
** give way to it, I fliould be unfit for my office, as meffenger
" to the Indian nations.'' Another heathen Indian came
•weeping to the miflionary and faid : " During the fermon to-
•' day fomething extraordinary has entered into my heart,
*' which makes me uneafy. I am convinced that I am a
*' miferable and depraved creature, and that the evil fpirit rules
" over me, and my foul muft be loft to all eternity, unlefs a
*' change takes place." A murderer, being prefent at a bap-,
tifm, and getting upon a form, to have a full view of the
ceremony, was fo moved, that he crept under the feats. He
entered afterwards into converfation with Ifaac Glikkikan
and among other things afked him, whether he knew where
the devil lived. " That I do," replied Ifaac, " he lives in
" your heart." An heathen Shawanofe faid upon another
occafion;
Ch. VIII. Internal State of the Mijfton. 143
occafio'n : " When I firft came hither, and heard you fpeak
** fo much of the wretchednefs and depravity of the human
" heart, I thought, * Weli faid, God grant the believini; In-
*' dians may begin to mend their lives, for they feem to be
*' very bad people. I am not To wicked, and commit no fins,
" but pleafe my God. I have alfo always endeavored to ferve
" him and facrificed enough. But lately I was convinced
" at your chapel, that I am a very finful man, and that it
" is exadly in my heart as in that old balket ;" pointing to
an old baiket full of rubbifn, w^hich happened to (land in
the room. " The more I formerly felt my pride and felf-
" complacency, the more I am now humbled, fo that I can
*' hardly venture to look at a believer, and I delire mod fer-
*' vently, that our m.erciful Savior would have pity on mc
*' and forgive my fins." He then began to weep aloud.
Some time after, this penitent was baptized into the death
of Jefus, being the firil of the Shawanofe in this country,
who was added to the Chriflian church. He was fo over-
come with . gratitude, that long after he faid to Brother
Heckenwaelder : " My eyes are all day filled with tears
*' of joy, and whenever I awake at night, my firfl: thought
" is, that our Savior was tormented and llain for my lins.
*' Therefore he fliall poffefs my whole heart, yea and ev.-n
•* the fmalleft bone in my body,'' Ever hnce his baptiim tae
death and fafferings of Jefus were fo precious to him, tiiat
he fpoke of them to all who vifited him, telling them, that
he was no more afraid of death, being aflured that his
foul was redeemed and faved by the death of his Savior.
The labor of the Holy Ghoft was more particularly per-
ceptible in the fick and dying: a fick girl fix years old, faid
with tears : " I now defire nothing more in this world-, but
" to be baptized, and cleanfed by the blood of Jefus to whom
" I wiOi to depart." Her requeft: was granted to her gr>;at
joy. An Indian woman, to v/hom holy baptifm was ad-
miniftered on her death-bed, could not fiecp the following
night for joy, and faid : " I now wilh the fooner the better
144 Internal Slate of the M'ljfioiu ' P. III.
" to depart to Chrifl, and do not dcfire to recover." Tlie
day before flie.died, (he afked : " What can make our Savior
*' delay, that he does not take me unto himfeL^ ?" She was
aiTured that he would foon grant her requeft. The day
following fne exclaimed: *•' Now he appears," and foon after
expired. A boy of eight years old, -lately baptized, fent
fhortly before his departure for Brother Zeifberger. and faid :
" Now I (hall depart, but what drefs .(hall I put on ?" Bro-
ther Zeifberger anfwered : " You have put on the right drefs
" in holy baptifm, when you was clothed with the blood and
*' righteoufnefs of Chriil Jefus your Savior : you want no other
" drefs." The boy replied: " True, O how do I rejoice !"
and during Brother Zeifberger's prayer he departed gently
and happily. A fick Indian woman, got her friends to
carry her to Lichtenau, and begged Brother Zeifberger to
pay her a vifit. When he came, Ihe faid: " Ah, how glad
*' am I that I ain here ! I am a miferable creature : I have
** done nothing all my life, but committed one fin after the
" other. Indeed I knew not what I did, and was uncon-
" cerned about it, but now that I am taken ill, I tremble for
" fear. All my fins appear before me, and I am afraid to
" die." Brother Zeifberger defcribed that Savior to her,
who had defhroyed him that had the power of death, that
is the devil. She received and believed the Gofpel, turned
with her whole heart to Jefus Chrifb, and was foon after
baptized. All prefent rejoiced over this poor finner, and
the ferenity vifible in her countenance after her baptifm,
aftonifhed every one, but particularly the ftrangers. She
afterwards repeated feveral times the following ejaculation:
" Merciful Savior, take me now home unto thyfelf." And
foon after added :" It will foon happen, very foon. Our
*' Savior is ftanding ready. O Jefus take me home." At
lall fhe exclaimed, " Now, now I am going !" and fell
alleep. Befides thefe few mentioned here, many more of
our Indians departed unto the Lord. Among thefe was
an old man, who muft have been confiderably- above anhun-
. ■ . dred
Ch. VIII. Internal State of the MiJJion. 1 45
clred years old, for he Vememberetl the time, when in i68z
the firft houfe w?,s built in Philadelphia, in which he had
been as a boy.
A Swifs, called I^nge, who had fet up a blackfmith's
fliop in Gofchachguenk, was at his particular requeil in his
lad ilinefs, conveyed in a {ledge to Lichtenau and complained
to Brother Heckenv/aelder of the wretched (late of his foul.
Among other expreiPions he faid : " Ah what a fmner am I,
" it is impofiible, that a greater fiiouid exifh any where."
Brother Keckenwaelder then preached the Gofpel unto Jiim,
telling him that Jefus Chrill had fhed his precious blood for
fuch poor finners, and v/ou!d receive even the worft in
mercy, if he only fought pardon with a fmcere heart. This
addrefs had fuch an effeft upon the patient, that he received
comfort and departed with joy unto the Lord.
Captain White Eye, who had fo often advifed other In-
dians, with great earneftnefs, to believe in the Gofpel of
Jefus Chrift, but had always poftponed joining the be-
lievers himfelf, on account of his being yet entangled in
political concerns, was unexpeticdly called into eternity,
and died of the fmail-pox at Fittiburg. The Indian con-
gregation to v/hom he had rendered very efiential fervices
was much affedled at the nev/s of his death, and could
not but hope, that God our Savior had received his foul
in mercy.
That the Chriftian Indians could fervently pray, not only
for their friends, but alfo for their enemies and fincerely
wilh them well, waS very firik:n;T and incomprehenfibie to
the heathen. The apoliate part of the. congregation, who
left Schoenbrunn in 1777, were more efpecially an objeft of
their prayers -, for notwithfianding their malicious behavior,
they never would confider them as enemies, but rather as
ftrayed fheep. They had alfo the joy to find that their
prayers were gracioufiy heard by the Lord ; for moft of thefe
unfortunate people, efpecially the deluded young people,
returned as repenting prodigals and begged earneftly for par-
don and readmiffion. This was granted' in prefence of the
whole
I4<J Vifitatlon held hy Brother Gruhe of Lkiz. P. IIL
Vi7hole congregation, whofe tears of compaflion and joy on
fuch occafions teftilied of that brotherly love, which dif-
tinguifhes true difciples of Jefus. Moft of them were alfo
received as inhabitants of the new fettlements and fome
died comforted and rejoicing in the Lord their Redeemer.
As to the external maintenance of the believing Indians in
thefe heavy times, we cannot fufliciently extol the bounty
of our gracious heavenly Father. Befides their own, they
had to fupply the wants of great numbers of their hungry and
fufFering countrymen. But all things were added unto them.
They had fuccefs in hunting, and plentiful crops, fo that
not one lacked any thing.
In May 1780 Brother Grube, then minifter of Litiz in
Pennfylvania, went to hold a vifitation in the Indian congre-
gations. Brother Senfcman and his wife, who were appointed
to the fervicc of the miffion, went in his company, as like-
wife the fingle Sifter Sarah Ohneberg who afterwards mar-
ried John Heckenwaelder. They paiTed over high hills, as
the Seidling, AUeghene and Laurel, which was particu-
larly troublefome to Brother Grube, who had been hurt
by the kick of an horfe. At Pittfburg he preached the
Gofpel to a congregation of Germans, and baptized feveral
children, no ordained clergyman being then refident in that
country. From this place the Indian Brethren brought him
and his company fafe to the fettlements. The Governor of
Pittfburg, Colonel Broadhead, and Colonel Gibfon, treated
thefe travellers with great kindnefs. The latter gave them
a travelling tent, and aflifted them in every thing requi-
fite for their fafe conveyance, as the roads to our fettlements
were at that time infefted wath hoftile Indians. Indeed the
Brethren foon experienced a proof of this. Three white
people, who were feeking to get Indian fcalps, a large pre-
mium being then given for them, lay in ambufh near the
road, and (hot at an Indian, who was but a little way before
Brother Grube and his company. But providentially the ball
pafFed only through his fliirt fleeve, and the other Indians
taking the alarm, the men who lay in wait jumped up and
ran off. June 30th, the whole company arrived fafe in Schcen-
brunn.
Ch. VIII. Vtfitation held b^ Brother Gruhe of Lltiz. 147
brunn, and their arrival gave Inexprefiible joy to tlie mifllon-
aries and their congregations.
Brother Grube paid vifits to all the fettlements, (laying
fome time in each, converfing with every individual, even
with all the children, and rejoiced greatly at the open and
unreferved behavior of both old and young. Befides this,
he held many conferences, both with the mifhonaries, to
whom his vifit proved a great encouragement, and with the
Indian affiftants. The difcourfes he delivered to the con-
gregation and ics divifions were likewife attended with dif-
tinguifhed blefhng.
Auguft the 15th this venerable man fet out on his return,
accompanied by Brother Schebofch. At taking leave all the
people were in tears. Though he was taken very ill on the
journey, he proceeded, and arrived September the 2d, at
Litiz, thanking God for his deliverance from fo many
dangers.
In November 1780, Brother Schebofch retm-ned and
brought Brother Michael Jung from Bethlehem to ferve the
miffion. In fpring 1781 the miflionary David Zeifberger
travelled to Bethlehem, and notwithftanding the danger of
the roads, was providentially brought fafe to the end of
his journey.
I4S Vijltatkn held by BiJJjop j. F. Reichel. P. IIL
CHAPTER IX.
1781.
The Mijjlonarics Zeifoer^er and "Jungman return io the
Settlemenis. A fiort Time of Reji. Unexpeded
Arrival of a Troop of IVarriors. The MiJJionaries
are taken Prifoners : relcafed and carried with the
•whole Indian Congregation to SanduJI^y Creek. Their
Dijirefs in that Place. Moji of the MiJJionaries are
brought to Fort Detroit : examined and honorably ac-
quitted. They return to their Congregations.
IN the year 1779 Bifhop John Frederic Reichel arrived
from Europe to hold a viiitation in all the Brethren's
fettlements and congregations in North America, having a par-
ticular charge to endeavor to procure fome real and fubltantial
relief for the afHi£led Indian congregations. But the dif-»
turbances then prevailing, and his other avocations pre-
vented him from travelling into the Indian country. He
was therefore glad to be circumflantially informed of every
thing relating to that milnon, firft by the report made by
Brother Grube after his viiitation and afterwards by Brother
Zeifberger himfelf during his abode in Bethlehem in the
fummerof 1781. He conferred about the future manage-
ment of the concerns of the Indian miffion both with the
latter and with Brother Jungman and his wife, who were
again willing to devote themfelves to its fervice. He alfo
wrote a letter of encouragement to each mifiionary and
affiftant in that important work, with v/hom he could not
perfonally converfe, 'exhorting them to perfevere in faith
in their difficult but blefled labor. He likewife fent
a letter to the whole Indian congregation, full of comfort
and v/holefome advice, admonifhing and befceching them to
I continue
Gh. IX. Peaceful State of the Miffmi. 149
continue firm in living faith and love towards Jefus Chrift,
and to walk in the light of his countenance.
In July 1 78 1 the mifTionaries Zeifberger and Jungman
with their wives arrived fafe at the fettlements, and the joy
of the Indians was like that of children at the return of
their beloved parents. The above-mentioned letter of Bi-
{hop J. Frederic Reichel was publicly read to the whole con-
gregation, and heard with great attention and joy, in an-
fwer to which each individual declared a firm refolution to
cleave to Chrill our Savior, to love him above all things and
to live for him alone in the world.
By a nevir arrangement, each fettlement was provided with
proper teachers. Brother David Zeifberger fuperiijtended
the whole miffion, but ferved particularly the congregation
at Schoenbrunn as minifter, in conjunction with Brother
Jungman. The Brethren Senleman and Edwards ferved
the congregation at Gnadenhuetten, and the Brethren John
Heckenwaelder and Michael Jung that at Salem.
At this time, and indeed ever fince autumn 1780^ the mif-
fion enjoyed peace and reft, feeing and hearing hardly any
thing of the hoftile Indians, except that fometimes war-
riors paffed through one or the other fettlement, and that
once a party of eighty men, of different nations, pre-
tended that they came to take our Indians with their
teachers, and carry them into the land of the Shawanofei
Thefe people were however foon brought to reafon by gentle
perfuafion. Nor did the congregation expe£l any attack
from the Englifh, depending entirely upon the fincerity of
the declaration given concerning them at Fort Detroit, as
mentioned in the former chapter.
But this happy and peaceful period came to an unexpe£l:ed
clofe in Augull. It appears, that God for wife purpofes
had ordained, that this his Indian flock and their teachers
fliould glorify his name in a more confpicuous manner by
fufferings, and be a witnefs of the truth of his Gofpel, by
giving the moft eminent proofs of Chritlian patience, in the
mofl grievous tribulations. Thus they entered now upon
Part III. M fcenes
150 Sudden Change of Affairs. P. III.
fcenes of diilrefs, hitherto unexperienced and unprece-
dented.
The moft authentic evidence has proved, that the prime
caufe of all their trouble was a fufpicion entertained by
the Englifli governor at Fort Detroit, that our Indians were
partizans in the American caufe, and that the miflionaries
were fet as fpies, to carry on a correfpondence prejudicial to
the Englifli intereft. This fufpicion was originally owing
to the calumnies of the enemies to the miffion, and was
by them fo fuccefsfully kept up and aggravated, that the
, governor of Fort Detroit refolved at laft, to rid himfelf at
once of neighbors fo troublefome and dangerous. In this
view the Englifli agent of Indian affairs v/ent to Niagara,
to attend the great council of the Iroquois, of whom he re-
quefted that they would take up the Indian congregation and
their teachers and carry them away. This the Iroquois
agreed to do, but not being willing themfelves to lay hands
upon them, tliey fent a mefTage to the Chippeways and Otta-
waws, intimating that they herewith made them a prefent
of the Indian congregation to make foup of, which in the
war-language of the Indians fignifies " We deliver them over
" to you, t'~> murder them." The Chippeways and Ottawa ws
refufed, declaring that they had no reafon to do fo. Upon
this the fame mefTage was fent to the above-mentioned Half-
king of the Hurons. This man, who formerly treated both
the believing Indians and the miffionaries with great kind-
nefs, accepted of it, but declared, that he only did it to
fave the believing Indians from total deflrudlion. However
even the Half-king would certainly never have agreed to
commit this a£l of injuftice, had not the Delaware Captain
Pipe, a noted enemy of tlie Gofpel and of the believing In-
dians, and the moft a<£live calumniator of the Brethren at
Detroit, infligated him to do it.
Pipe and his party of Delawarcs having joined the Half-
king and his warriors with fome few Shawanofe, they all
aflembled to a war-feafl, for which they roafled a whole ox.
Here they conferred more particularly about the befl mode of
4 proceeding.
Ch. IX. TranfaElions at Gnadenhtietten. 1 5 1
proceeding, but cautioufly, fo that only the captains knew
the true defign of the expedition. Their order was, to
bring the miffionaries, dead or alive, and the whole bufinefs
was condu6led with fuch fecrecy that our Indians did not
hear the lead of it till the beginning of Auguft, when news
arrived that a party of favage warriors were on their march.
At firft, hopes were conceived that this rumor was fabulous.
But on the loth of Auguft the favages made their appear-
ance firft in a troop of an hundred and forty, their number
gradually increafing to three hundred and upwards. They
were commanded by the Half-king of the Hurons, an
Englifti captain, and the Delaware Captain Pipe, bearing
Enghfli colours, which were planted in their camp. When
they approached to Salem, the Half-king fent a mefiage to
our Indians, defiring them to fear nothing, adding, that he
came himfelf to fee that no injury ftiould be done to them;
but having good words to fpeak, he wiflied to know which o£
their fettlements would be moft convenient for a meeting.
Now as Gnadenhuetten was in every refpe6l the 'moft pro-
per place, it was accordingly fixed upon. The warriors there-
fore pitched their camp on the nth of Auguft on the weft
fide of Gnadenhuetten, and were treated in the moft liberal
manner by our Indians.
In the beginning the behavior both of the Englifli officer
and the favages was friendly. But on the 20th of Auguft
the Half-king appointed a meeting of the believing Indians
and their teachers, and delivered the following fpeech :
" Coufins ! ye believing Indians in Gnadenhuetten, Schoen-
" brunn, and Salem ! I am much concerned on your account,
" perceiving that you live in a very dangerous fpot. Two
" powerful, angry, and mercilefs Gods ftand ready, opening
" their jaws wide againft each other: you are fitting down
" between both, and thus in danger of being devoured and
" ground to powder by the teeth of either one or the other,
" or of both. It is therefore not advifeable for you to ftay
" here any longer. Confider your young people, your wives
Ma « and
1^2 TranJaEiions at Gnadenhiietten. P. III.
** and your children, and preferve their lives, for here they
" muft all peri{h. I therefore take you by the hand, lift you
" up, and place you in or near my dwelling, where you
" will be fafe and dwell in peace. Do not Hand looking at
" your plantations and houfes, but arife and follow me !
" Take alfo your teachers with you, and worfhip God in
" the place to which I fhall lead you, as you have been ac-
" cuftomed to do. You fhall likewife find provifions, and
" our father beyond the lake (meaning the governor of Fort
" Detroit) will care for you. This is my mefTage, and I am
" come hither purpofely to deliver it." He then delivered a
firing of wampom, and the mifTionaries and Indian alliflants
of the three fettlements met in conference, to confider this
unexpe£led addrefs, and on the 21 ft the latter delivered the
following anfwer to the Half-king : " Uncle ! and ye cap-
*' tains of the Delawares and Monfys, our friends and coun-
*' trymen ! Ye Shawanofe, our nephews, and all ye other
*' people here aflembled ! We have heard your words; but
" have not yet feen the danger fo great, that we might not
" ilay here. We keep peace with all men, and have nothing
*' to do with the war, nor do we wifh or defire any thing,
*' but to be permitted to enjoy reft and peace. You fee
" yourfelves, that we cannot rife immediately and go with
" you, for we are heavy, and time is required to prepare for it.
" But we will keep and confider your words, and let you,
"uncle! know our anfwer next winter, after the harveft;
*' upon this you may rely."
The Half-king would undoubtedly have been fatisfied with
this anfwer, had not the Englifh officer and Captain Pipe
urged him to proceed. The confequence was, that the
Half-king, in a rough fpeech held on the 25th, expreffed great
difpleafure at the anfwer of the believing Indians. This
was anfwered by a repeated i^emonftrance, that his com-
mands were too fevere, and that he fliould only permit the
inhabitants of the three fettlements to make good their
harveft, as they would otherwife be reduced to famine and
extreme
Gh. IX. Tranfacl'ions at Gnadenhuetten. 153
extreme dlftrefs, in attempting to travel to fo diftant and
unknown a country with empty hands. To thefe remon-
ftrances the Half-king lillened with filence. In the mean
time the common warriors endeavored to defcribe the country
intended for ourpeople, as a paradife, and by thefe lies made an
impreflion upon the minds of fome, unacquainted with their
cunning, who were not unwilling to follow the Half-king.
Thus a divifion arofe among our Indians. Some advifed, to
rife and go with the Half-king, without confidering the con-
fcquences. Others, and by far the greater number, oppofed
this meafure, declaring that they would rather die on the
fpot.
This caufed great perplexity in the minds of the miflion-
aries. They were now obliged to decide, and plainly faw
that they would offend either one or the other party. The
more they fought to extricate themfelves from this dilemma,
the more they difcovered themfelves befet on all fides. How-
ever the meetings continued in their regular courfe, and the
miflionaries perfevered in exhorting, encouraging, comfort-
ing and dire£ling the congregation to put their truft in the
Lord, to whom they themfelves prayed day and night for
deliverance. But at this time his ways feemed truly unfearch-
able, and they knew not what to aflc or pray for. They had
nothing left, but to be refigned to His wife leading, and to
expert the event in quictnefs and filence, fo that their prayers
were all centered in that one petition, " Thy imll be done ;"
yet they believed it to be moft prudent, to wait the iffue»
and not to follow the favages, but by compulfion, that if the
congregation was brought to diflrefs and mifery, they might
not be liable to blame and reproach on that account.
It once feemed as if the Half-king would entirely forfake
his intentions of uhng violent meafures, but the Englifh
officer urged him and his captains to take the miflionarles
prifoners, alledglng, that if he returned to Fort Detroit with-
out them, the governor would be very much diffatisfied. To
add to this calamity, fome of our people proved unfaithful,
and even infinuated to the favages, that if tliey only feized
M 3 upoa
154 Savage Behavior of the hidian Warriors. P. III.
upon the miffionaries and carried them oiF, the reft of the
congregation would foon follow. Others were fo weak,
that upon being afked, whether they would follow the Half-
king, they replied : " We look to our teachers ; what they
*' do, we will do likewife." Thus the whole blame fell
upon the miffionaries, and they became the main obje£l of
the refentment of the favages. Befides this an unfortunate
circumftance rendered their fituation ftiU more precarious.
They had difpatched two Indian Brethren to Pittfburg to
give notice of the danger they were in, but without giying
them any letters. Thefe meflengers were intercepted by the
favages, brought back and ftri^lly examined. They told the
truth, and nothing prejudicial to the Half-king appeared in
It. But the favages would not give up their fufpicions, that
the miffionaries had fent to call the Americans to their affift-
ance. The heads of the party had feveral confultations, in
which, as fome of them related afterwards, they refolved to
kill all the white Brethren and Sifters. However they wifhed
firft to know the opinion of a common warrior, who was
highly efteemed amongft them as a forcerer. His anfwer was,
that he could not underftand, what end it would anfwer to
kill the white Brethren : that this would only increafe the
evil, for the chief people among the believing Indians would
Hill exift, if even their teachers were flain. The captains
therefore held another council in which they refolved, to kill
not only the miffionaries and their wives but alfo all the
Indian affiftants.' This refolution was likewife communi-
cated to the forcerer. He then faid : " Thus you have re-
^' folved to kill my deareft friends, for moft of their chief
** people are my friends, but this I tell you, that if you hurt
•' any one of them, I know what I will do." They were
terrified at his threats and gave up their defign.
The favages now became more bold, dancing and making
merry in the fettlement. Though nothing was denied them,
but they were fupplied with as much meat at they wanted,
yet they fhot at the horned cattle and pigs in the road, nor
did they fuffer the carcafles to be taken away, fo that the
place
Ch. IX. The MiJJiOfmries 7nnde Prifoners. 155
place was foon filled with infupportable ftench. Small
parties of them made inroads into the neighboring country,
bringing prifoners to Gnadenhuetten, which was thus ren-
dered a theatre of war and pillage.
At length the Half-king called the white Brethren from
Schoenbrunn and Salem with all the Indian affiftants to
Gnadenhuetten. Some of them however could not forfake
their places, wilhing to keep order and to prote£l the fiffcers
and children from the infuits of the favages. But the mifTion-
aries Zeilberger, Senfeman and Heckenwaelder, with fome
of the affiftants, arrived there on the 2d of September,
and foon perceived that they (hould not be well treated. Ac-
cording to their own expreffion it appeared as though the
whole atmofphere was infefted with evil fplrits.
They were foon fummoned before a council of war, and
the Half-king infifted upon their giving an immediate anfwer,
v/hether they would go with him or not, without retiring to
confultuponit? But as the miffionaries appealed to the anfwer
given already, declaring, that they intended to abide by it, the
aiTembly broke up without further debate. A Delaware
captain then called upon Brother Zeifberger and told him in
fecret, that being adopted as one of the Delaware nation and
confequently one flefli and bone v/ith them, the Delaware
warriors were willing to protect him. But as this protection
was meant to extend only to him and not to his fellow-laborers,
he nobly refufed the captain's offer ; upon which both he and
ihe two other miffionaries were im.mediately feized by a party
of Huron warriors and declared prifoners of wai-. As they
were dragged off into the camp a Huron Indian aimed a pufii
at Brother Senfeman's head with a weapon, refembling a
lance, but miffed his aim. Upon this a Monfy approached
the miffionaries, and feizing them by the hair, (hook them,
calling out in a tone of derifion : " Welcome among us, my
** friends !"
They were then led into the camp of the Delawares, where
the death.fong was fung over them. During tliefe tranfac-
tions the Hurons, fearing the refentment of our Indians,
M4 loaded
1^6 Ci-uel Treatment of the MiJJionarles. P. III.
loaded their guns with great hafte, and appeared in fuch a
panic, that they hardly knew what they did. They then
flript the miflionaries to their Ihirts and took away their
clothes. Meanwhile the whole troop of common warriors
ran into the miflionaries' houfe, which they plundered and
damaged in a dreadful manner. Indeed fome of our young
Indians had placed themfelves before the houfe door, armed
with hatchets to keep the favages in awe, but they were foon
obliged to yield to numbers. However they fufFered Brother
Edwards to go out unhurt. Not chufing to fhare a better fate
than his Brethren, he went to them into the camp and was
made prifoner.
They were now all led into the tent of the Englifh officer,
■who feeing the pitiable condition they were in, exprefled
fome companion, and declared that this treatment was utterly^
againft his intention, though indeed the governor at Detroit
had given orders to take them away by force, if they refund
to go willingly. Having i-eceived here fome rags to cover
themfelves, they were now led to the camp of the Hurons,
and fecured in two huts, the Brethren Zeilberger dnd Heck-
enwaelder in one and Edwards and Senfeman in the other.
The favages were going to confine the latter in the flocks,
but upon his reprefenting to them that that caution was quite
needlefs, they defilted. Nor were the Brethren bound like
other prifoners, but only carefully watched. Here they fat
upon the bare ground, having nothing to fcreen them from
the cold at night.
Soon after they had been thus fecured, they faw a number
of armed warriors marching off for Salem and Schoenbrunn,
and the confideration of what their families would fufFer, was
a greater torment to their afBidled minds, than any infult
offered to their ovi^n perfons. About thirty favages arrived
in Salem in the dufk of the evening and broke open the
mifflon-houfe. Here they took Brother Michael Jung, Sifler
Heckenwaelder and her child prifoners, the former having
narrowly efcaped being killed by a tomahawk, aimed at his
head. Having led them into the ftreet, and plundered the
houfe
Ch. IX. l^he Hurons attach Schoenhninn in the Night. i^^
houfe of every thing they could take with them, they deftroy-
ed what was left, and brought Brother Michael Jung about
midnight to Gnadenhuetten, fmging the death-fong. He
was confined in the fame hut M'ith the Brethren Zeifberger
and Heckenv/aelder. As to Sifter Heckenwaelder, the fa-
vages were prevailed upon by the interceflion of the Indian
Sifters to leave her at Salem till the next morning, when (he
and her cliild were fafely conducted by our Indians to Gna-
denhuetten.
During the fame night fome Hurons came to Schoenbrunn,
and fuddenly broke into the miflionaries' houfe, where they
feized the miflionary Jungmau and his wife, and the Sifters
Zeifberger and Senfeman who were already in bed. With-
out even giving them time to drefs, they feemed in hafte
and out of breath to tell them, that between thirty and forty
warriors were on the road to murder them, that they therefore
lliould immediately deliver themfelves up to them as prifoners
of war, and thus fave their lives under their proteftion ; that
they would pack up their things and bring them all fafe to
Gnadenhuetten, where they fhould be returned to them.
The poor frightened women believed their words, and Sifter
Zeifberger even helped the robbers to pack up, till (he faw
that the beds were cut to pieces and the feathers fhook out
into the ftreet, in the fame manner as was done at Gnaden-
huetten andSalem. Having alfo plundered the church of every
thing, the favages fet off with their booty and prifoners, and
proceeded by water to Gnadenhuetten. No one was more to
he pitied, than Sifter Senfeman, who had been brought to
bed but three days before, and now with her infant was hur-
ried away by thefe mercilefs barbarians, in a dark and rainy
jiight. But God who does all things well, did not fuffer
either her or the child to receive the leaft injury, by impart-
ing to her an uncommon degree of ftrength and fortitude.
Had fhe been too weak to follow the favages, fhe and her infant
would have been inftantly murdered, according to their
ufual praftice in fimilar cafes. September 4th early, they
Jed this company into Gnadenhuetten, fmging the death-
fong.
I^.S MiJJionarles and thir Wives made Pnfoners. P. III.
fong. When the Brethren Zeifberger and Senfeman faw
their wives led captive in proceflion, I muft leave my readers
to guefs what their feelings muft have been, not knowing
how this affair would end.
The day following the prifoners obtained permiffion to fee
and fpeak with each other. This produced a fcene fo mov-
ing and interefting, that even the favages feeraed ftruck with
aftonirnment and remorfe. The Sifters, who behaved with
Treat compofure and vefignation, bearing every infult with ex-
emplary patience, Vv'ere foon fet at liberty, as wasalfo Brother
Jungman ; but as the miiTionaries' houfe was almoft deftroy-
ed, they went to lodge in the houfe of Brother Shebofch,
who had not been taken prifoner, being confidered as a native
Indian, having altogether adopted the Indian manner of liv-
ing and married an Indian woman. Here the prifoners were
allowed to vifit them now and then, and they had the fame
leave to return their vifits. The favages were meanwhile
ftrutting abooit in the clothes taken from the miffionaries,
nnd even compelled their wives to make ftilrts for them of the
linen they had robbed them of.
The night follov/ing fome malicious people fpread a report,
that the wives of the miffionaries had effefted their efcape
■zxL^ were gone to Pittftjurg. All was uproar and confufion.
Brother Heckenwaelder was waked and examined about it,
and though he affured the warriors, that the Sifters were no-
where but in their own lodgings in bed, they would not believe
it, till they had fearched their fleeping place and there found
his affertion to be true.
In the beginning of thefe proceedings the behavior of the
believing Indians much refembled the condu£l of the difci-
ples of our bleffed Savior. They forfook their teachers and
fled. When they arrived together in the woods, they lift
tip their voices and wept fo loud, that the air refounded with
their lamentations. But foon recollecting themfelves, they
returned, and having recovered many things belonging to the
miffionaries, even out of the hands of the robbers, or paid
for them, returned them to the cvv^ners. They likewife
brought
Ch. IX. Ifaac GUkhihan taken captive and examined. 159
brought blankets to the prlfoners, to cover themfclves
during the cold nights, but fecretly and late in the evening,
fetching them back early in the morning, left the favages
fliould fteal them in the day time. Some had even courage
enough to enter the carrip in the day time, and to feize
the booty made by the favages, and carry it off by main
force.
But now another very dangerous circumftance occurred.
A young Indian woman, who came with the favages and was
witnefs to their brutal behavior, undefigningly faid to an
Indian Sifter, that (lie fliould never forget the unjuft treat-
ment the white Brethren received, nor could (he fleep all
night for diftrefs. Soon after, without further explanation,
Ihe found means to get Captain Pipe's belt horfe, and rode
off full fpeed to Pittft)urg, where fhe gave an account of the
fituation of the miffionaries and their congregations. As
foon as her departure was known, (lie was inftantly purfued.
But as fhe could not be taken, the favages were enraf^ed in
the higheft degree ; they firft charged the miffionaries with
having fent this woman with letters to Pittfburg, to call the
Americans to their deliverance. But as it appeared more
probable, that Ifaac Glikkikan, to whom the woman was re-
lated, had fent her, a party of warriors immediately fet off
for Salem and brought him bound to Gnadenhuetten, finging
the death-fong. While the favages were binding him, per-
ceiving that they feemedmuch terrified, he encouraged them,
faying, " Formerly, when I was ignorant of God, I fhould
" not have fuffered any one of you to touch me. Bufr now,
*' having been converted unto him, through mercy, I am will-
" ing to fuffer all things for his fake." He no fooner arrived
in the camp but a general uproar enfued, the favages de-
manding that poor Ifaac fhould be cut in pieces. The Dela-
v/ares, v/ho hated him more particularly for his converfion,
thirfted for his blood, but the Half-king interfering, would
not fuffer him to be killed. However they examined him
very feverely, and though his innocence was clearly proved,
yet they attacked him with the m.oft opprobrious language,
and
j6o Tie Mifjionarles releafed. P. III.
and' after fome hours confinement, fet him at hberty. An
account was afterwards received, that upon the report made
by the abovementioned woman, the Gaveraor of Pittfburg
intended to fend a proper force to releafe the miiFionaries
and their congregations, but was afterwards led to forfake
this refolution, which may be confidered as a gracious provi-
dence of God : for the Indian congregation would then in-
deed have been between tv.-o fires, and the firft ftep taken by
the favages would have been to murder all the white Brethrea
and Sifters.
Thefiveimprifoned Brethren having forfour days and nights
together experienced in the moft cruel manner, what is to be
at the mercy of a gang of robbers and murderers, the Indian
affiftants went to the Half-king and the reft of the captains,
and entreated them moft earneftly, to fet their teachers at
liberty. The favages indeed were convinced that the believ-
ing Indians would never be perfuaded to leave the fettlements,
imlefs they were led by the miffionaries. On the 6th of
September therefore they called them before the council, de-
tlared them free, and advifed them to encourage the Indians
to prepare for their emigration.
Filled with thanks and praifes to God they now returned
iiO tlieir beloved people, and went to Salem, where they had
appointed the congregations of Salem and Gnadenhuetten to
meet them. Here they adminiftered the facrament, during
which a moft extraordinary fenfation of the prefence of the
Lord comforted their hearts. They alfo preached the Gofpel
with boldnefs, baptized a catechumen and exhorted all the
believing Indians to ftand firm and to fliow that faithfulneis
which they in a more particular manner owed to the Lord
and his caufe in thefe hours of trial and temptation. The
daily words of fcripture during this affli£ling period, were fo
applicable to their circumftances, that they could not have
been better chofen, if the event had been forefeen.
Having thus refreflied themfelves for fome days in peace
and reft at Salem, about loo favages, who had continually
watched their motions and furrounded them at fome diftance,
entered
CK. IX. The Ch'iftian Indians forced to quit their Settlenmits. i6i
entered the place on the loth of September and behaved like
madmen, committing the moft daring outrages. The miflion-
aries now perceived, that there was no other refource for
themfelves and their congregation, but to emigrate, as the
favages feemed refolved to follow them every where. Hav-
ing therefore determined to propofe it to the congregations,
and finding them of the fame mind, they quitted Salem on
the nth of September,
But they never forfook any country with more regret-
They were now obliged to forfake three beautiful fettlc-
ments, Gnadenhuetten, Salem and Schoenbrunn, and the
greatefl part of their polTeflions in them. They had already
loft above 200 head of horned cattle and 400 hogs. Befides
this they left a great quantity of Indian corn in ftore, above
300 acres of corn land, where the harveft was juft ripening,
befides potatoes, cabbage, and other roots and garden fruits
in the ground. According to a moderate calculation their
lofs was computed at 1 2,000 dollars, about 20C0I. But what
gave them moft pain, was the total lofs of all books and
writings, compiled with great trouble, for the inftru<5lion of
their youth. Thefe were all burnt by the favages. Added
to this they had nothing before them, but diftrefs, mifery and
danger. However they could do nothing, but poflefs their
fouls in patience, and go forward, even whither they would
not. But God was with them, and the powerful fenfatioa
and experience they had of his prefence fupported their cou-
rage. A troop of favages commanded by Englifli officers
efcorted them, enclofing them at the diftance of fome miles
on all fides. They went by land through Gofchachguenk to
the Walhalding; and then partly by water and partly along
the banks of that river to Sandullcy Creek. Some of the
canoes funk, and thofe who were in them loft all their pro-
vifions and every thing they had faved, Xhofe whp went
by land, drove the cattle, a pretty large herd having been
brought together from Salem and Schoenbrunn. Sept. Jc^th
the Half-king overtook them with his troops. He had lain
in Salem ever fince the emigration of our people, his troops
had
t6z Trotiblefome Journey to Sandujky, V. III.
had plundered all the three fettlen^.ents, and even dug up as
much as they could find of v/hat the Indians had buried in
the woods.
One may eafily conceive, that this journey was very tedi-
ous and troublefome. However the people went on with
great patience. Not one left the congregation under thefe
circumftances : no one laid the blame of thefe troubles and
lofles upon others : no dlffatisfa^llon or difharmony took
place, but they cleaved together as one man in the fpirit of
true brotherly love, rejoiced In God their Savior, and held
their daily meetings on the road. At Gockhofink, or the
habitation of owls, fo called from the quantity of thefe birds
reforting thither, they forfook the river and proceeded alto-
gether by land. The favages now drove them forward like
a herd of cattle. The white Brethren and Sifters v/ere ufu-
ally in the mldft furrounded by the believing Indians- But
one morning, when the latter could not fet out as expediti-
oufly as the favages thought proper, they attacked the white
Brethren, and forced them to fet out alone, whipping their
horfes forward till they grew wild, and not even allowing
the mothers time to fuckle their children. The road was
exceeding bad, leading through a continuation of fwamps.
Sifter Zelfberger fell twice from her horfe, and once hang-
ing in the ftirrup was dragged for fome time. But affiftance
was foon at hand and the Lord prefer^^ed her from harm.
Some of the believing Indians followed them as faft as pofli-
ble, but with all their exertions did not overtake them till
night. Thus they were not delivered out of the hands of
the favages till the next morning.
0£lober nth, they at length arrived at Sanduflcy Creek,
from which the whole country receives its name, being
divided into Upper and Lower Sanduflry, about 125 miles
diftant from the fettlements on the Mulklngum. Here
the Half-king with his Huron warriors left them, without
leaving any orders for their future obfervance, and marched
into his own country. Thus they were left in a wlldernefs,
where there was neither game nor any other provifions j and
thofc.
Ch. IX. Temporary Settlement in Upper Sandnjly. 1 63
thofe, who had fufFered themfelves to be deceived hy the
treacherous reprefentations made by the favages of this
paradife, were afliamed of their credulity. After roving to
and fro for fome time, they refolved to fpend the winter in
Upper Sandufky, where they pitched upon the befl fpot they
could find in this dreary wade, and built fmall huts of logs
and bark to fcreen themfelves from the cold, having neither
beds nor blankets, and being reduced to the greateft poverty
and want; for the favages had by degrees ftolen every thing
both from the miffionaries and the Indians on the journey,
only leaving them the needful utenfils for making maple fugar-
Duringthe building of thefe huts, the evening meetings were
held in the open air, and two large fires kindled to ferve for
warmth and light. They fo much dilliked their fituation
here, that they gave their town no name, and I mud there-
fore call it Sandulky, from the country and river near to
which it lay.
Nothing brought them into greater flraits, than the want
of provifions, and they frequently thought of the children
of Ifrael in the wildernefs, and of that bread, with which they
were fed by God from heaven. Some had long ago fpent all
their own provifions, and depended upon the charity of their
neighbors, for a few morfels. Even the miflionaries, who
had hitherto always lived upon their own produce, were now
obliged to receive alms, they and their families being fup-
ported by a contribution gathered in the congregation. . On
this account Brother Shebofch and feveral Indian Brethren
returned asfoon as pofTible to the forfaken fettlements on the
Muflcingum, to fetch the Indian corn, which, as mentioned
above, had been left in great quantities in the fields.
Many favages came at that time to Sandufky, not to hear
the Gofpel, but rather to fcofi^ and laugh at it. The Delaware
Captain Pipe boafted publicly, that he had taken the believing
Indians and their teachers prifoners, and confidered them
now as his flaves. The Half-king came to inform them, that
they were now under his dominion, and were bound to do
whatever he commanded them, even to go to war in his fer-
vice-
164 "^^^e MilJionaries conduEled to Fort Detroit, P. Ill,
vice. This vain boafting being anfwered with filence, the
favages grew^ more impudent, and even feemed to have loft
all regard for the miflionarles. The lefs profpe£l there ap-
peared under thefe circumilances, of gaining the hearts of the
heathen by the preaching of the Gofpel, the more joy the
mifTionaries felt at feeing feveral vvrho laft year, in times of
trial, had forfaken the congregation and wandered about as
flraying flieep, return unto the Shepherd and Bifhop of their
fouls, and unto his perfecuted flock.
But fcarce had the mifTionaries and their people had a mo-
ment's breathing-time in this place, when two Delaware cap-
tains arrived with the following meflage from the Englifh go-
vernor at Fort Detroit to the Delawares andHurons : "Chil-
" dren ! your father beyond Lake Erie is glad to hear that
" you have brought the believing Indians and their teach^
*' ers to Sandulky, for now all nations may be united
*' and all hindrances removed, and the little birds in the
" wood cannot fing fo many lies in your ears. Now the
** Virginians will fit in the dark and hear nothing more
" about us, from which we expedl to reap great advantages.
** I leave it to your difcretion, to find a dwelling for the
*' believing Indians, wherever you pleafe. In a few days a
** vefTel will arrive from Detroit in the river Miami with
" goods, where your father will reward you well for your
*' good fervices. But he requefts, that Captain Pipe would
" conduft the teachers and fome of the Chiefs of the
** believing Indians to him, as he wifiies to fee and to fpeak
" with them himfelf. He fays : * I know better how to
** fpeak with them than you, for I know them, and can
** better provide and care for them, having plenty of every
« thing."
The mifllonaries, who long fince M'ifhed to fpeak with
the governor himfelf, and to refute the many lies he had
heard, by laying the truth before him, were very willing- to
go, and October 25th the Brethren Zeifberger, Senfe-
man, Heckenwaelder, and Edwards, fet out with four
Indian alhftants for Fort Detroit. But the Brethren Jung-
Gil. IX. The Mijfionaries arrive at Fort Detroit. 165
man and Michael Jung ftayed with the congregation at San-
dufky. The pain they felt at taking leave of each other,
was very great, partly as no one could tell what would be
the event of their journey, and partly as they were obliged
to leave their families in want of all the neceflaries of life.
"They travelled chiefly by land along the banks of the lake,
pafling over many fwamps, large inundated plains, and
through thick forefts, fufFering great hardfhips by the way.
But the mod painful circumftance attending this journey
was this, that they received an account, that fome of their
Indians who went, as above mentioned, to the Mufklngum
to fetch Indian corn, had been taken and killed by the white
people, and that a large body of the latter were marching
to Sandulky, to furprife the fettlement there. Of this ac-
count only fo much was true, that Brother Shebofch and
five believing Indians had been taken prifoners at Schoen-
brunn and carried to Pittfburg. The reft returned fafe to
Sandulky, loaded with about four hundred bufhels of Indian
corn, which they had procured in the fields with great trou-
ble. But as the travellers did not hear the truth, it may
eafily be conceived how great their affli£lion was, and with
what anxiety their minds were opprefTed during the journey.
November the 3d they arrived at Detroit, and were imme*
diately brought before the Governor, Arend Scuiler de Peyften
He was at firft difpleafed, having expedled all the miffion-
aries with their families, whom he intended to fend all toge-
ther to Philadelphia. He however aflured them, that the
only caufe for his calling them from their fettlements on the
Mulkingum, was becaufe he had heard, that they carried
on a correfpondence with the Americans to the prejudice
of the Englilh intereft, and that many complaints had arifen
Egainft them on that account. The miflionarics anfwered,
that they doubted not in the leaft but that many evil reports
tnuft have reached his ears, as the treatment they had met
with, had fufficiently proved that they were confidered as
guilty perfons j but that thefe reports were falfe, would fully
appear, if he would only grant a ftrlQ inveftigation of their
Part III, * N condud.
I,6<5 TJ?e Mijfionar'tes -tried hy ihe Governor^ P. III.
condu£l. They added, that it would not only caufe them
great grief, but would alfo be the ruin of the miflion,
committed to their care, if they were feparated from
their congregations, which they were in confcience bound
never to forfake. His Excellency then difmifled them,
and kindly ordered them to be decently lodged and provided
with neceflaries. Many Englilh, German and French
officers vifited them and exprefled great compaffion, upon
hearing how cruelly they had been treated, the marks
of which they fiill bore about them ; their clothes were all
tattered and torn, and they faw Indians (Irutting about the
llreets in Detroit in the very clothes taken from them on
the Muilvingum.
Their trial was deferred till Captain Pipe, their principal
accufer, fliould arrive, and they felt fome uneafinefs in con-
Tideringthat the ve'rdidt feemed to depend upon the evidence
given by this malicious opponent. They had no friend to.
interfere in their behalf. But God was their friend and fta)^,
and they trufled in him with full confidence j nor were they
put to fliame.
The pth of November was the day appointed for the trial.
After fome ceremonies had pafled between the Governor
and Captain Pipe, relating to the fcalps and prifoners he had
brought from the United States, Captain Pipe rofe and thus
addreOed the Governor : " Father, you have commanded us
*' to bring the believing Indians and their teachers from the
*' Mufkingum. This has been done. When M'e had brought
" them to Sandufty, you ordered us to bring their teachers
*' and fome of their Chiefs unto you. Here you fee them
" before you, now you may fpeak with them yourfelf, as you
'' have defired. But I hope you will fptak good words
" unto them, yea I tell you, ' fpeak good words unto them,
" for they arc my friends, and I flioukl be forry to fee
*' them ill ufed." Thefe lafl words he repeated two or
three times. In anfwer to this, the Governor enumerated
to the captain all the complaints he had made againft the
Brethren, in his own wordsi calling upon him now to prove,
that
Ch. IX. and honorably acquitted. iSf
that his accufations were true and that the mlffionarles had
correfponded with the Americans, to the prejudice of the
Englifh intereft. Pipe anfwered, that fuch a thing might
have happened ; but that the miffionaries would do it no
more, for they were now at Detroit. The Governor was
not fatisfied with this anfwer, but peremptorily demanded,
that Pipe fhould anfwer his firft queftion declfively. Pipe
was now greatly embarrafTed, began to flnft and fhuflle, and
bending towards his counfellors, alked them what he {hould
fay ? But they all hung their heads and were filent. On
a fudden recolle£ling himfelf and rifing up, he addrefled
the Governor : " I faid before, that fome fuch thing might
" have happened, but now I will tell you the plain
" truth. The miffionaries are innocent. They have done
*' nothing of themfelves, what they have done, they were
" compelled to do." Then, fmiting upon his breaft, he added,
*' I am to blame, and the Chiefs who were with me in
•' Gofchachguenk ; we have forced them to do it, when they
" refufed." This alluded to the innocent correfpondence car-
ried on tln-ough the miffionaries in the name of the Dela-
ware Chiefs mentioned above (page ii6). The Governor
then aflced Captain Pipe whether he and his party were will-
ing to permit the miffionaries to return to their congrega-
tions, or would rather, that they were fent away .? But con-
trary to all expedlation Pipe approved of their return, and
it was evident, that God had changed his heart in this af-
fair. The Governor then queftioned the miffionaries about
their ordination and vocation to the miffion, but efpecially
nbout their connexion with the United States. As to the
latter, they replied, that Congrefs indeed knew that they
were employed as miffionaries to the Indians, and did not
difturb them in their labors, but had never, in any thing,
given them directions how to proceed.
The Governor, having done nothing in this whole af-
fair, but what his duty required, declared now publicly
before the whole court, that the Brethren were innocent of
Na all
l63 The Mijftmaries return to Sandujky. P. Ill,
all things laid to their charge, that he felt great fatisfa6lIon
in feeing their endeavors to civilize and chriftianize the
Indians, and would permit them to return to their congre-
gations. All this was interpreted to Captain Pipe and his
warriors. Then addreffing the Indian afliflants, he exprefled
his joy to fee them, admoriifhing them to continue to obey
their teachers and not to meddle with the war, after which
he took them by the hand, and promifed to fupply them
gratis with all they wanted, which was accordingly done.
To the miflionaries he offered the ufe of his own houfe, in
the moil friendly terms, and as they had been plundered con-
trary to his \in\\ and exprefs command, he ordered, that they
fhoUld be provided with clothes; and every other neceflary
without delay. He even bought four watches, which they
had been robbed of, upon their imprifonment in Gnaden-
huetter!, ffom a trader, to whom the Indians had fold them
at Detroit, and returned them to the miflionaries. Having^
frequently conferred with them in a kind and fympathizing
manner, concerning the Hate of the miffion, and given
them a paflport for their journey, to which a permifhon was
added, that they fhould perform the functions of their office
among the Chriftian Indians without moleftation, he dif-
mifTed them in peace. The milTionaries entreated him to fend
them art account of all accufations made againft them in fu-
ture, promifmg to clear up every thing to his fatisfaftion and
according to ilrift truth. This he promifed to do, and
at parting declared as a lincere friend, how heartily forry
he was for the fufferings they had fo innocently undei-gone.
Both the miiTionaries and the Indian alfiftants returned
praifes to God for the favorable turn given to their affairs,
in which the Governor approved himfelf as a fervantof God.
They left Detroit on the 14th of November and arrived on
the :i2d at Sandufky. The joy of their families and the
congregation was inexprelTible, as nothing appeared to them
more probable, than that they would be detained prifoners at
Detroit.
They
Ch. IX. Famine in Sandicj'hy, 1 69
They were now left for feme time at reft and built a
cliapel. But their external fupport was a matter of great
difficulty and caufed many melancholy reflexions. They
knew not to-day, what they Ihould eat to-morrow. Fre-
quently their hunger became almoft infupportable and the
cry for food was general. Providentially it happened that
towards the end of the year a great number of deer came
into thofe parts. Two Englifh traders who lived in the
neighborhood, Mr. Mac-Cormick and Mr. Robins, were
very kind in affifting them. They bought Indian corn for
them and ferved them to the utmoft of their power, which
was gratefully acknowledged by our Indians as a proof of
the gracious providence of our heavenly Father.
December 7th the Indian congregation held their firft
meeting in the new chapel, and offered up prayers and
fupplications, that the JLiord would alfo in this place
dwell and walk among them, and blefs the word of hjls
atonement -with rich fruits in the hearts of all who Ihould
hear it. They celebrated the Chriftmas holidays with
chearfulnefs and bleffmg, and concluded this remarkable
year with thanks and praife to him, who is ever the Sa-
vior of his people. But having neither bread nor wine?
ihey could not keep the Holy Communion.
170 ' Famine in Sandujky. P. III.
CHAPTER X.
1782.
Great Famine in Sandujky. All the MiJJlonaries are
carried to Fort Detroit. Part of the hidian Congre-
gation furpri-zed on the River Mu/kingwn by a Troop
of white People, and murdered. Arrival of the
Mijfionaries at Detroit. The Indian Congregation
difperfed, by which their total Dejiruftion is pre-
vented,
THE Indian congregation entered into the year 1782
with joy, and renewed hopes of reft, little imagining
that it would be the moft trying period they had ever experi-
enced.
In the firft months of this year the daily worfliip of the
congregation was held in the ufual order, and the grace of
God prevailed. Some new people were baptized, and feve-
ral of the baptized, who formerly went aflray, obtained for-
givenefs and were readmitted to the fellowfliip of the believers.
However they were not without diflrefs. Towards the
end of January, the cold became fo intenfe, that the nights
were almofl; infupportable. After it abated, the water forced
out of the earth in fuch abundance that it did much damage
to the inhabitants. The cattle, of M^hich the Indians had
colle£led large herds, had no forage in thefe dreary regions,
nor was any to be procured elfewhere, and thus fuch of them
as were not killed for meat, perifhed with hunger. Famine
foon fpread amongft the people, and the calamity became
general. Provifions were not to be had, even for money,
and if any were bought in other places, an exorbitant price
was demanded. Many of the poor lived merely upon wild
potatoes, and at lafl their hunger was fuch, that they greedily
ate the carcafes of the horfes and cows which were ftarved
to death.
In
Ch. X. Viftt of the Ralf-hing of the Htirons. 1 7 1
In this wretched fituatlon the Half-king of the Hurons
with a retinue of Indians and white people paid them a vifit.
As our Indians were now not able to furnifli a meal for their
guefts, one of the affiftants went to the tlalf-king, informed
him that there was no meat to be had but the flefli of
dead cattle ; and added : " Whenever you came to Gnaden-
*■• huetten, we gave you not only enough to eat, but if you
" defired to have tea and fugar, bread, butter, milk, pork and
** beef, or any other article, we always gave it to you, and
" have never refufed any thing to you and your warriors.
" But you told us to rife, and to go with you, and that wa
" need not mind our plantations, for we fliould find enough
*' to live upon. Now if any one catches a bird, or any
" another animal, his firfl care is to get food for it. But
" you have brought us hither, and never offered a grain of
" Indian corn to any one of us ; thus you have obtained your
*' whole aim, and may rejoice that we are here miferably
*' perifliing for want." The Half-king feemed flruck with
the truth of this reproof, and went away in filence. Other
favages who came on a vifit to Sanduiky, feeing fuch Quan-
tities of cattle lying dead by the way fide, laughed, and re»-
viled our Indians, expreffing great joy at their fufferings.
*' Now," faid they, " you are become like us, and certainly
" you ought not to fare better-"
The famine drove feveral parties from Sandufky to Schoen-
brunn, Gnadenhuetten and Salem on t^e Muikingum, to fetch
provifions, a report prevailing, that there was no danger in
thofe parts. Indeed this was now the only refource our
Indians had left, for though mofl; of their Indian corn was
{till {landing in the fields fince lail year, it was much better
than v/hat v/as fold by foine people in Sandufky at an enor-
mous price.
The greateft fufferings of the miflionarles about this time
were occafioned by the behavior of fome falfe Brethren, who
having returned to their former finful ways, endeavored to in-
troduce their heathenl{li practice into the congregation, and
would not leave the fettlement. They ftaid there in defiance
N4 of
17 2 The Enemies renenv their Accufations^ P. Ill,
of all remonftrances, were enraged, when kindly reproved,
and went about in the villages of the heathen, endeavoring to
exafperate them againfh the miflionaries.
It became now more evident than ever that the aim of the
enemies of the Brethren was nothing lefs than forcibly and
effectually to deflroy the preaching of the Gofpel among the
Indians, and to difperfe the Indian congregation. The Go-
vernor of Fort Detroit had promifed the miffionaries that they
fhould not be molefled in their labors, but he found it impof-i
fible to keep his word, as thefe people left him no peace.
Soon after the return of the miffionaries from Detroit laft
autumn, fome of the head-chiefs of the Delawares expreffed
their affonifhment to the Governor, that he had fuffered the
white Brethren to depart, and thus difappointed them in their
hopes of getting rid of thefe dangerous people. The Gover-
nor had always found means to pacify them by his wife and
firm behavior. But now the Half-king of the Hurons appear-
ed again againft them. It happened that two of his fons,
who went lafl year upon a murdering party, loft their live?
during the expedition. This the father afcribed to fome
fecret intrigues of the Brethren, nor would he be convinced
of the contrary, but meditated revenge. He lived alfo in
continual fear, left our Indians ftiould revenge the injuries
they had fuffered, upon his own perfon. He therefore
thought of means to difperfe them, and knew no method
more likely to effedl: this, than to feparate them from their
teachers. Another difagreeable occurrence happened alfo
about this time. Two Indians, members of the congrega-
tion, had a defire to vifit their imprifoned relations at Pittf-
burg. But as it was evident, that their journey would only
tend to increafe the fufpicions raifed againft the miffionaries^
as though they carried on a correfpondence with the Ameri-
cans, the danger was reprefented to them and they were
defired to give up the defign. Neverthelefs they fet off in
fecret. Now though Brother Zeifberger gave immediate in-
formation of this circumftance both to the Governor of De-
troit and to the Half-king of the Hurons, yet the latter gladly
feize4
Ch. X, The M'lJJtonarles and Families ordered io Detroit. 1 73
feized this opportunity, to accufe the miflionarles before the
Governor of having carried on a conftant conefpondenrewitli
the Americans, as long as they had been in 8 uidulky, by let-
ters fent every ten days to Pittfburg, endeavoring to perfuade
the Americans to deftroy the Huron nation. In a letter,
dictated by him to feme vi'hite people, he mentioned to the
Governor ; " That he was uneafy in his mind as long as the
!" teachers lived in Sanduiky, fearing fome misfortune, an4
*' therefore requefted the Governor to carry them away as
" foon as poffible j but that if he refufed, he himfelf fhbuld
'' know what to do."
A written order therefore arrived on the ill of March,
1782, fent by the Governor to the Half-king of the Hurons
and to an Englifh officer in his company, to bring all the
miflionaries and their families to Detroit, but with a ftri£t
charge, neither to plunder nor to abufe them in the leaft.
It may eafily be conceived how this account pierced the mif-
fionaries to the very heart. According to their own declara-
tion, they would much rather have met death itfelf, than be
forced to forfake their congregation whom they loved by far
more than their own lives, and thus to deliver their flock over
to the v/olves. They were ftunned with grief; but confulta-
tions were of no avail. For indeed nothing was now left, but
to fubmit with due refignation, for the flightefl remonftrance
might have given occafion to abufe and plunder them, and
could not have been of the fmalleft fervice.
When this order was communicated to the congregation,
fxprefsly affembled for the purpofe, the people wept to fuch
a degree, that the miflionaries were alrnoft crulhed with the
weight of grief and diftrefs. One Indian after the other
came afterwards to fee them, and they were entirely engaged
in attending to their complaints, exhorting and comforting
them. All uttered their lamentations aloud, exclaiming that
they were forfaken and left as fheep without a fhepherd.
Among the reft an Indian Brother faid, " I am unconcerned
?' as to all the lofles I have fuftained, that I am become poor
i^ and hungry and have loll all my cattle. I would gladly
"fuffer
1 74 Dreadful Reports. P. ll\,
" fuiTer all this and more, but that our enemies have at length
** taken our teachers from us, and intend to rob us of the
*' nourifhment of our fouls and the word of falvation, is too
*' bad, and breaks my heart. But they fhall never find me
" willing to be one with them and to enter again into their
*' heathenifli manner of living. Nor fliall they ever make
" me fubjeci^ to their power, and force me to do things,
" which are abominable in the eyes of God my Savior. I will
** rather run into the woods, fly from all human fociety, and
" fpend the remainder ,of my life in the utmoft mifery."
Ajiother, who had proved unfaithful, came and confefTcd his
guilt In public. " I have giievouily finned," faid he, " for I
*' have accufed my teachers and betrayed th?m, as Judas be-
*' trayed our Savior, and now I fhall be lofl eternally, un-
" ief§ I obtain forgivenefs." The mifTionaries aflured him
in the mofl affeclionatc terms of their forgivenefs, and com-
forted their weeping flock by reprefenting the unbounded
faithfulnefs of the Lord, who crowns all things which He
permits with an happy iflue. But they found that it would
be moll prudent not to give any particular advice to the
Indian alhftants, for the management of the affairs of the
congregation during their abfence, but to commend them to
fhe guidance of the Spirit of God, having no other confolation
both for themfelves and their families, but that they were
yet in the hands of a gracious Lord, though now led through
a dark and difmal valley, who would be their leading ftar,
protestor and preferver in all circumftances.
The day before their departure, they were terrified to the
utmofl degree, by the arrival of a warrior from the MuIk-
ingum, v/ho related that all our Indians, who were found in
pur deferted fettlements feeking provifions, had been taken
prifoners by the Americans, carried off to Plttfburg, and
ibme of them murdered. Thus overwhelmed with grief and
Jerror the mifTionaries were obliged to take leave of their
people on the 15th of March, and fuftered as it were a thou-
fand deaths. The congregation being aflembled for this pur-
pofe, Brother Zeiiberger as a tender father exhorted the .
Brethren
Ch. X. Dreadful Reports. 175
Brethren and Sifters to cleave the clofer unto the Lord, as
they were now to be feparated from their teachers, for that
He was the fource of all falvation and the well fpring of life.
He admonifhed them to feek and find paflure in the merits
of his fufferings and death, by which they would be preferv-
ed from the world and all the allurements of fin. He then
kneeled down with the congregation, gave thinks unto the
Lord for all the fpiritual blefFmgs received at his hands,
amidfl: earthly mifery and diflrefs, commended this Indian
church of Chrift, purchafed unto himfelf by his own blood,
unto his grace, to the love and prefervation of God the hea--
venly Father, and to the fellowfliip and guidance of the
Holy Ghoft, praying fervently, that they might be preferved
in faith and in the pure and laving doclrine of Jefus Chrift
and his atonement, till they fhould fee each other again,,
either here below, or before the throne of the Lamb. The
tears flied on this occafion are only known to the Lord, who
feeth the afflidlion of his children. In this ftate of mind,
believing one part of the congregation to be imprifoned, an-
other part murdered and the third in danger of being dif-
perfed and forfaken, the miffionaries entered upon their jour-
ney to Detroit, accompanied by a Frenchman, whom the
Englifti officer had appointed in his place to conduct them,
and pafling as in review before the Half-king and his
warriors.
I will here leave the travellers, to defcribe the bloody ca-
taftrophe which took place on the Mufkingum, the above-
mentioned report being by far not equal to the extent of the
horrible tranfadiion.
The Governor of Pittfburg thought it but juft, to releafe
the believing Indians who with Brother Schebofch were taken
prifoners laft year by the Americans in Schoenbrunn. The
Indians arrived fafe in Sanduiky, and Brother Schebofch
went to Bethlehem, to give a circumftantial account of the
prefent fituation of the Indian congregation. The humane
behavior of the Governor at Pittfburg greatly Incenfed thofe
people, who, according to the account given in the former
Part
i']6 Account of the horrid Murder of P. Ill,
Part of this Hiflory, reprefented tKe Indians as Canaanites,
who without mercy ought to be deftroyed from the face of the
earth, and confidered America as the land of promife given to
the Chriflians. Hearing that diiFerent companies of the be-
lieving Indians came occafionally from Sanduflcy to the fet-
tlements on the Mufkingum to fetch provifions, a party of
murderers, about one hundred and fixty in number, afiembled
in the country near Whiling and BufFaloe, determined
(irft to furprife thefe Indians, and deftroy the fettlements,
and then to march to Sanduiky, where they might eafily cut
off the whole Indian congregation. As foon as Colonel
Oibfon, at Pittfburg, heard of this black defign, he fent
meflengers to our Indians on the Mufkingum to give them
timely notice of their danger : but they came too late. They
however received in all the fettlements early intelligence of^
the approach of the murderers, time enough for them to
have faved themfelves by flight ; for a white man, who had
narrowly efcaped from the hands of fome favages, warned
them with great earneftnefs to fly for their lives. Thefe
favages, having murdered and impaled a woman and a^
child, not far from the Ohio, arrived foon after at Gna-- '
denhuetten, where they exprelTed to our Indians their
fears, that a party of white people, who were purfuing them, ]
would certainly kill every Indian they met on the road.
iPut our Indians, who at other times behaved with great
caution and timidity, if only the leail appearance of danger
exifled, lliowed now no figns of fear, but went to meet
real danger with incredible confidence.
This vcas undoubtedly owing to an idea, that they had no-
thing to fear from the Americans, but only from the Indians.
However on the 5th of March, Samuel, an afliftant, was
called from Schocnbrunn to Salem, where all the affiftants in
thofe parts met, to confult whether they (hould f)y upon the
approach of the white people j but both thofe of Salem and
Gnadenhuetten were of opinion, that they fliould (lay.
Samuel advifed, that every one fhould be left to acl accord-
%o his own fentiments, and thus they parted. When Sa-
pnuel
Ch. X< Part of the Indian Congregation. t'j'f
muel returned to Schoenbrunn, fome Brethren accon^panied
him part of the way, and he declared that fuch love and
harmony prevailed among the believing Indians, as he had
never feen before.
Meanwhile the murderers marched firfl to Gnadenhuetten
where they arrived on the 6th of March. About a mile
from the fettlement they met young Schebofch in the woods
fired at him and wounded him fo much that he could not
efcape. He then, according to the account of the murderers
themfelves, begged for his life, reprefenting that he was Sche-
bofch the fon of a white Chriftian man. But they paid no
attention to his entreaties and cut him in pieces with their
hatchets. They then approached the Indians, moft of whoiri
were in their plantations, and furrounded them, alraoft imper-
ceptibly, but feigning a friendly behavior, told them to go
home, piomifing to do them no injury. They even pretend-
ed to pity them on account of the mifchief done to them by
the Englifii and the favages, afluring them of the prote6tioa
and friendfliip of the Americans. The poor believing In-
dians, knowing nothing of the death of young Schebofch,
believed every word they faid, went home with them and
treated them in the moil hofpitable manner. They likewife
fpoke freely concerning their fentiments as Chriftian Indians,
who had never taken the leaft fhare in the war. A fmall
barrel of wine being found among their goods, they told their
perfecutors on enquiry, that it was intended for the Lord's
Supper, and that they were going to carry it to Sandufky.
Upon this they were informed that they fliould not return
thither, but go to Pittfburg, where they would be out of
the way of any afTault made by the Englifli or the favages.
This they heard with refignation, concluding, that God
would perhaps chufe this method to put an end to their
prefent fufFerings, Prepoffefled with this idea, they chear-
fully delivered their guns, hatchets and other weapons to the
murderers, who promifed to take good care of them and in
Pittfburg to return every article to its ri^^htlul owner. Our
Indians even fliowed them all thofe things, which they had
fecreted
l^S' Account of the horrid Murder of P. IIL
fecreted in the woods, affifted in packing them up, and
emptied all their bee-hives for thefe pretended friends.
In the mean time the affiilant John Martin went to Salem
and brought the news of the arrival of the white people, to
the believing Indians, afluring them that they need not be
afraid to go with them, for they were come to carry them
into a place of fafety, and to afFord them protection and fup-
port. The Salem Indians did not hefitate to accept of this pro-
pofal, believing unanimoufly that God had fent the Ameri-
cans, to releafe them from their difagreeable fituation at San-
dulky, and imagining that when they had arrived atPittlburg,
they might foon find a fafe place to build a fettlement and
cafily procure advice and aififtance from Bethlehem. Thus
John Martin with two Salem Brethren returned to Gnaden-
huetten, to acquaint both their Indian Brethren and the white
people with their refolution. The latter exprefled a defire to
fee Salem, and a party of them was condudled thither and
received with much friendfhip. Here they pretended to have
the fame good will and aftediion towards the Indians, as at
Guadenhuetten, and eafily perfuaded them to return with
them. By the way they entered into much fpiritual conver-
fation, our Indians, fome of whom fpoke Englifh well, giv-
iug thefe people, who feigned great piety, proper and fcrip-
tural anfwersto raanyqueftlons concerning religious fubjefts.
The afFiftantsIfaacGlikkikan and Ifraelwere no lefs fmcere and
unreferved in thelranfwers to fome political queftionsllarted by
the white people, and thus the murderers obtained a full and
fatisfa6tory account of the prefent fituation and fentiments of
the Indian congregation. In the mean time the defencelefs
Indians at Guadenhuetten were fuddenly attacked and driven
together by the white people, and without refiftance feized
and bound. The Salem Indians now met the fame fate. Be-
fore they entered Guadenhuetten, they were at once furprifed
by their condu£lors, I'obbed of their guns and even of their
pocket knives, and brought bound into the fettlement. Soon
after this, the murderers held a council, and refolved by a
tnajority of votes, to murder tlaem all the very next day.
Thofe
Ch. X. Part of the Indian Congregation. I "9
Thofe who were of a different opinion, wrung their hands,
calling God to witnefs, that they were innocent of the blood
of thefe harmlefs Chriftian Indians. But the majority re-
mained unmoved, and only ditFered concerning the mode of
execution. . Some were for burning them alive, others for
taking their fcalps, and the latter was at laft agreed upon j
upon which one of the mui'derers was fent to the prifoners,
to tell them, that as they were Chriftian Indians, they might
prepare themfelves in a Chriftian manner, .for they muft all
die to-morrow.
It may be eafily conceived, how great their terror was, at
■hearing a fentence fo unexpe£:ed. However they foon
recolleded themfelves and patiently fuffered the murderers
to lead them into two houfes, in one of which the Brethren
and-in the other the Sifters and children were confined like
flieep ready for flaughter. They declared to the murder-
ers that though they could call God to witnefs that they
vv^ere perfectly innocent, yet they were prepared and v.-illing
to fuffer death. But as they had at their converfion and bap-
tifni made a folemn prcmife to the Lord Jefus Chrift, that
they would live unto him and endeavor to pleafe him alone
in this world, they knew that they had been deficient in many
refpedls, and therefore wifhed to have fome time granted, to
pour out their hearts before Him in prayer, and to crave His
mercy and pardon. This requeil being complied with, tliey
Ipent their laft night here below in prayer, and in exhorting
each other to remain faithful unto the end. One Brother,
called Abraham, who for fome time paft had been in a luke-
warm ftate of heart, feeing his end approaching, made the
following public confeffion before his brethren : " Dear
" Brethren ! it feems as if we fliould ail foon depart unto
*' our Savior, for our fentence is fixed. You know that I
" have been an untoward child, and have grieved tire Lord
*' and my brethren by my difobedience, not walking as I
*' ought to have done. But yet I will now cleave to my
*' Savior with my laft breath, and hold him faft, though I am
*' fo great a finner. J know aiTuredly, that H;; will forgive
2 '^ me
tSa ^fcape of two Totids. , P. lit
•^ me all my fins, and not call me out.'* The Brethren: zU
fured him of their love and forgivenefs, and both they and
the Sifters fpent the latter part of the night in finging praifes
to God their Savior, in the joyful hope, that they fliould foort
be able to praife him without fin.
"When the day of their execution arrived, namely the
8th of March, two houfes were fixed upon, one for the Bre-
thren and another for the Sifters and children, to which the
wanton murderers gave the name of flaughter- houfes. Some
of them went to the Indian Brethren and ftiowed great im-
patience, that the execution had not yet begun, to which
the Brethren replied, that they were all ready to die, hav-
ing commended their immortal fouls to God, who had
given them that divine affurance in their hearts, that they
ihould come unto him, and be with him for ever.
Immediately after this declaration the carnage commenced^
The poor innocent people, men, women, and children
were led, bound two and two together with ropes, into the
above-mentioned flaughter-houfes and there fcalped and mur-
dered.
According to the teftimony of the murderers themfelves,-
they behaved with uncommon patience and went to meet
death with chearful refignation. The above-mentioned
brother Abraham was the firft victim. A Sifter, called
Chriftina, who had formerly lived with the Sifters in Beth*
lehem, and fpoke Englifli and German well, fell on her
knees before the captain of the gang and begged her lifcj
but was told, that he could not help her.
Thus ninety-fix perfons magnified the name of the Lord, 1
by patiently meeting a cruel death. Sixty-two were grown 7
perfons, among whom were five of the moft valuable aflTift- i
ants, and thirty-four children.
Only two youths, each between fifteen and fixteen years
old, efcaped almoft miraculoully from the hands of the mur-
derers. One of them, feeing that they were in earneft,
was fo fortunate as to difengage himfelf from his bondSj
then flipping unobferved from the crowd, crept through a
narrow*
Ch. X. Efcape of the Indians at Schoenbnam. 18 1
narrow window, into the cellar of tliat hou'e m wMch the
Sifters were executed. Their blood foon penetrated through
the flooring, and according to his account, ran in ilreams
into the celiar, by which it appears probable, that nioft, it
not all of them, were not merely fcalped, but killed with
liatchets or fwords. The lad remained concealed till night,
providentially not one coming down to fearch the cellar,
when having with much difficulty climbed up the wall to the
wividow, he crept thi^cugh and efcaped into a neighboring
thicket. The other youth's name was Thomas. The mur-
derers ftruck him only one blow on the head, took his fcalp,
and left him. But after feme time he recovered his fenfes
and faw himfelf furrounded by bleeding corpfes. Among
thefe he obferved one Brother, called Abel, moving and
endeavoring to raife himfelf up. But he remained lying
as ftill as though he had been dead, and this caution proved
the means of his deliverance : for foon after, one of the
murderers coming in, and obferving AbeFs motions, killed
him outright with two or three blows. Thomas lay quiet
till dark, tliough fufFering the moll exquifite torment. He
then ventured to creep towards the door, and obferving
nobody in the neighborhood, got out and efcaped into
the wood, where he concealed himfelf during the night.
Thefe two youths met afterwards in the wood, and God
preferved them from harm on their journey to Sanduflcy,
though they purpofely took a long circuit, and fuffered great
hardfhips and danger. But before they left the neighbor-
hood of Gnadenhuetten they obferved the murderers from
behind the thicket making merry after their fuccefsful enter-
prife, and at lad fetting fire to the two flaughter-houfes filled
with corpfes.
Providentially the believing Indians, who wefe at that
time in Schoenbrunn, efcaped. The miffionaries had imme-
diately upon receiving orders to repair to Fort Detroit, fent
a meffenger to the Mulkingum to call our Indians home,
witli a view to fee them once more, and to get horfes from
them for their journey. This meflenger happened to arrive
Part III. O at
i82 Accounts received of the Murder of the Indians, P. IIL
at Schoenbrunn the day before the murderers came to Gna-
denhuetten, and having delivered his meflage, the Indians;
of Schoenbrunn fent another meflenger to Gnadenhuetten
to inform their brethren there and at Salem of the meflage
received. But before he reached Gnadenhuetten, he found
young Schebofch lying dead and fcalped by the way fide>
a«d looking forw^ard, faw many white people in and about
Gnadenhuetten. He inftantly fled back with great preci-
pitation and told the Indians in Schoenbruna what he had
feen, who all took flight and ran into the woods. They
now hefitated a long while, not knowing whither to turn or
how to proceed. Thus when the murderers arrived at
Schoenbrunn the Indians were flill near the premifes, ob-
ferving every thing that happened there, and raight eafily
have been difcovered. But here the murderers feemed as it
were ftruck with bHndnefs. Finding nobody at home, they
deftroyed and fet fire to the fettlement, and having done the
fame at Gnadenhuetten and Salem, they fet ott" with the
fcalps o£ their innocent viftims, about fifty horfes, a
number of blankets and other things, and mtirched to
Pittfburg,. with a view to murder the few Indians lately
fettled on the north fide of the Ohio, oppoGte to the Fort.
Some of them fell a facrifice to the rage of this blood-thirfty
crew, and a few efcaped. Among the latter was An-
thony,, a member of our congregation, who happened then
to be at Pittfburg, and both he and the Indians of Schoen-
brunn arrived after many dangers and difiiculties fafe at San-
duflcy.
The foregoing account of this dreadful event was col-
le£ted, partly from what the murderers themfelves related
to their friends at Pittfburg, partly from the account given
by the two youths, who efcaped in the manner above de-
fcribed, and alfo from the report made by the Indian afliilant
Samuel of Schoenbrunn, and by Anthony from Pittfburg,
all of whom agreed exadlly as to the principal parts of their
refpedive evidences.
It
Ch. X. Various Remarh. 183
It afterwards appeared from the New York papers, in
\vhich the Chriftian Indians are called Moravian Indians,
and reprefented in a very unfavourable light, that the mur-
derers had been prevented, for the prefent, from proceeding
to Sandulky, to deftroy the remnant of the congregation.
The following remark of fome favages on this occafion
deferves particular notice : '* We intended to draw our
*' friends, the believing Indians, back into heathenifm, but (
*' God difapproved of it, and therefore took them to him- |
« felf."
To defcribe the grief and terror of the Indian congre-
gation, on hearing that fo large a number of its members
were fo cruelly maflacred, is impoffible. Parents wept
and mourned for the lofs of their children, hufbands for
their wives, wives for their hufbands, children for their pa-
rents, brothers for their filters, and fillers for their bro-
thers. And having now alfo loft their teachers, who ufed to
fympathize with and take fliarc in all their forrows and to
ftrengthen their reliance upon the faithfulnefs of God, their
grief was almoft infupportable. But they murmured not, i
nor did they call for vengeance upon the murderers, but |
prayed for them : and their greateft confolation was a full'
affurance, that all their beloved relations were now at home,
in the prefence of the Lord and in full pofleffion of ever-
lafting happinefs.
Brother Schebofch received at Bethlehem the news of
the cruel murder of his fon, with the deepeft afflidion. To
this place the firft account of the maflacre was brought by
fome people, who had been prefent at an au£lion held at
Pittlburg of the efFe£ls taken from the believing Indians, at
which alfo their fcalps were expofed to view.
All the congregations of the United Brethren both in
America and Europe took the moft affecting fliare in this
great calamity. But as God has always wife and facred rea-
sons, for permitting fo great tribulations to befall his chil-
dren, the Brethren, viewing this dreadful and incomprehen-
fible event in this light, could do nothing, but filently adore
O 2 the
184 Various Remarks. P. IIT.-
the wifdom of die Lord, whofe ways are unfenrchable,
but always replete with juftice and truth. It appears from
all circumftriices attending this malTacre that the murderers
did not deflroy the belrieving Indians on account of their
being Chriflians, but merely becaufe they were Indians, and
therefore they would not even fpare the infant children.
1 will therefore not compare them with the martyrs of the
ancient church, who fometimes were facrificed in great num-
bers to the rage of their perfecutors on account of their faith
in Chrift. But thus much I can confidently ailert, that
thefe Chrillian Indians approved themfelves to the end as
lledfaft confcflbrs of the truth, and though confcious of their
innocence, were yet x-efigned to the will of God, patiently
fubmitting to be led as fneep to the flaughter, and having
commended their fouls to their Creator and Redeemer, deli-
vered themfelves without refiftance to the cruel hands of their
blood-thirfly murderers, and thus in death bore wltnefs to
the truth and efficacy of the Gofpel of Jefus. The murder-
ers themfelves acknowledged that they were good Indians^
*' for," faid they, " they fung and prayed to their laft breath."
This tellimcny of the truth will preach to every thinking
mind, as long as the remembrance of this bloody maflacre
exifls.
There were three circumftances which may be looked
upon as gracious interpofitions of God's providence. The
fir ft is, that laft autumn the Indian congregations were car-
ried away from their fettlements on the Mulkingum. If
they had remained there, they would moft probably have
been totally deftroyed. But now above two thirds of their
number were favcd. Secondly, when our Indians v/ere
obliged to go to the Mufkingum for food, and the miffion-
aries mentioned it to the Hurons, partly to prevent all fuf-
picion and partly that fome of them might go with them,
the Hurons refufed to go. If they had gone, they could not
have defended thebeUeving Indians, their prefence would only
have held out a more plaufible pretence for the murderers,
to treat the believing Indians and Hurons alike as hoftlle
2 warriors?
Cli. X. The Miffionaries leave Sandujky. 185
warriors, and thus their death would have appeared to the
world in a very different light. The third remarkable cir-
cumflance was this, that the miffionaries were ordered to Fort
Detroit precifely at a time, when their arrangements tended to
prefcrve thofe Indians, who were then atSchoenbrunn. Thus
amidil all diftrefs, they found great caufe to thank and praife
the Lord. Though we may not comprehend his ways, our
iinderftanding being too weak and imperfe£t to difcover his
purpofes, yet this we know, that lie is juft and merciful,
and that all things work together for good to them that love
God.
I now returu to the mifTionaries, When they left San-
dufky, they were accompanied a confiderable way by a large
part of their weeping congregation, and by fome as far
as Lower Sanduflcy. As they could not procure a fulEcient
number of horfes, fome were obliged to wade through water
and marfliy grounds, and Brother Edwards liad the misfor-
tune to get lame. They were alfo obliged to fpend fcveral
nights in the open air, and fuffered great cold, befides other
havdlhips. But the Lord gracioufly fupported the Sifters
and children, fo that they were able to bear it. Their
French conductor behaved with kindnefs towards them ; and
as they were in great want of provifions, God inclined tlie
hearts of feveral perfons to affiil them. Some traders from
Detroit, who tlien refided in Lov/erSanduiky, afforded them
effential relief, the travellers being detained for a confider-
able time at that place. Thefe ^cod people took them into
their houfes and fupplied them with food and other necef-
faries. March the 21ft they experienced another afflidion
in taking a final leave of thofe believing Indians, wl j had
accompanied them thus far, jmd were obliged to return to
their families.
The miffionaries now found themfelves entirely feparated
from their beloved congregation, a circumftance which,
amidft all their fufferings and trials, tlicy had never before
experienced, nor could they at this time difcern the ways of
;the Lord in permitting this apparent evil; they all appeared
O 3 . ■ dark
1 86 M'llfionanes detained at Lower Saudujky. P. Ill,
dark and myfterlous. Soon after this, fome Indian Bre^
thren who brought their baggage after them, informed them
of every circumflance relating to the murder of the behev-
jng Indians on the Mufkingum, by which their minds, al-
ready grievoufly afHi£led, were filled with inexpreffible an-
guifli ; for they mourned like parents, who had loft their
own children in the moft cruel manner. They write ;
*' This account was heart-rending indeed, and God alone car^
*' comfort and fupport us under it."
As they were obliged to wait longer in Lower Sandufky
for veflels to condudl them forward than was firft expected,
they received feveral vifits from the believing Indians in
Upper Sandufky. But even thefe vifits occaficned fome
trouble, for one day the Hurons made a dreadful outcry,
giving out that the believing Indians had murdered fome
Huron women. However upon an immediate examination,
their lies were detetted, and die calumniators publicly put to
fhame.
April ! ith the Englifh officer who had been ordered to
conduct the miffionaries to Fort Detroit, but had committed
thisbufinefs to the above-mentioned Frenchman, arrived with
a party of Indian warriors in Lower SanduHcy. He behaved
like a madman towards the miflionaries, and with horrid
oaths threatened feveral times to fplit their fkuUs with
an hatchet. He then fat drinking all night in the houfe
where lodged, raving much worfe than any drunken far
vage. But the Lord protefted the miffionaries and their fa-
milies from all harm. At length the governor at Detroit
fent two veflels with a corporal and fourteen rifle-men, who
brought a written order, to take the miffionaries from Lower
Sandufljy, to treat them with all poffible kindnefs, and in
cafe of ftormy weather, not to endanger their lives in crofl-
ing Lake Erie ; addhig, that whoever did them the leaft In-
jury, ffiould be called to account for it. This threat kept
the above-mentioned Englifli officer in awe, and he ftaid
behind in Sanduflcy, to the great fatisfaQion of the tra-s
vellers.
They
Ch. X- The Miftonoi-'tes arrive at Fort Detroit. 187
They fet out on the 14th, and croffing over a part of the
lake, arrived at Detroit by the ftreights which join the Lakes
Erie and Huron. Here a large room in the banacks, jull
■fitted up for an officer's dwelling, was given therri, by order
of the governor. He foon came to fee tliem, and afTured
■them, that though many new accufatlons had been made
againll them, yet he confidered them as perfe<^ly innocent,
and had not fent for them on that account, but merely for
their own fafety, having the mofi authentic intelligence,
that their lives were m imminent danger, as long as they re-
fided at Sanduiky, He further left it entirely to their own
■option, to remain at Detroit, or to go -to Bethlehem, and
gave orders that they fhould be fupplied with every thing
they flood in need of. Some weeks after, they left the bar-
racks with his confent and moved into an houfe at a fmall
diftance from the town, where they enjoyed more reft and
■quiet.
In the mean time the Indian congregation -was brought
into the moft precarious fituation. After the departure of
die miflionaries, the Indian afliilants continued to meet and
exhort the congregation In the ufual reg\ilar manner. This
the miffionarles heard with pleafure from an Englifli trader
who vifitedtSandulky and was prefent at feveral of their meet-
ings. He related that he heard them ling hymns and exhort
*ach other, till they wept together like children, which greatly
^fiefted him. But fome falfe brethren among them took
this occafion to ffiow their perfidy- They afcribed all the
misfortunes of the believing Indians to the miffionaries, and
£ven aflerted that they were the fole caufe of the murder of
their countrymen, and that forefeeing this, they had gone
oft Into fafety. iSuch foolifli aHertions, though reprobated
by the faithful part of the congregation, occafioned how-
ever much dilTatisfacllon and uneafinefs. Befides this the
Half-king of the Hurons was fo incefiantly tormented by
his evil confcience, that he could not reft, as long as any
Chriftian Indians were in his neighborhood, for their pre-
fence continually reminded him of his treacherous and cruel
O 4 behavior
J 88 The Coiigregatkn Is dtfperfed. P. III.
behavior towards them and their teachers. He therefore
fent them a peremptory order to quit the country, and feek a
dwelling in forue other place. It appeared indeed, as if no
place was left where thefc perfecuted Indians might have
reft for the foles of their feet. For they lived between two
contending parties, one of which had plundered and led them
aw,!y captive and the other had murdered a great number of
ihem. -They couid t.xpe£b i.:; protection from the white
people, and the heathen hunted them as outlaws from one
region to die other. Yet they had one great and ineftimable
fource of comfort: " The Lord our Gcdliveth," faid they,
** and he will not forfake us." However the contempt they
fuffered and the fcoffing of the heathen, appeared fometimes
very grievous: " Let us fee," faid they, " whether that God^
** of whoiu the Chnftians talk fo much, defcribing him as
** a great and almighty Lord, and placing all their confidence
*' in hi'^n, \. ill protect and deliver them, and vv^hethcr he is
" fi.tonger than our gods."
They refolved at length to make no refiftance, but as it
feemed to be the will of God to permit them to be fcatteredj
patiently to fubmit. One part therefore went into the coun-
try of the Shawanofe, the reft ftaid fome time in the neigh-
borhood of Pipestown, and there refolved to proceed fur-
ther to the Miami river.
This difperfion of the believing Indians put a period for
fome time, to the exiftence of the congregation. But it
was not long before the gracious providence of God was
difcernible in this event, . The fame gang of murderers, who
had committed the maflacre on the Muikingum, did not give
.up their bloody defign upon the remnant of the Indian con-
gregation, though it was delayed for a feafon. They
marched in May 1782 to Sanduflcy, where they found no-
thing but empty huts. Thus it became evident that the
tranfportation of the miiTionaries to Detroit happened by
the kind permiflion of God. For had they remained in San-
duflcy, the Indian congregation would not have been difperfed
.and confcquently in all probabiUty have been murdered,
An4
Ch. X. The Congregation Is d'lfperfed. 189
And thus this painful event, which at firft feemed to threaten
deftruftion to the whole miflion, faved the lives of our In-
dians in two different inflances, firft by the meffage fent to
Schoenbrunn, and fecondly by the difperfion of the whole
flock.
Soon after the difappointment which the murderers met
with at Sanduiky, they were attacked by a party of Englifh
and Indian warriors, and the greater part of them were cut
to pieces.
CHAPTER XL
1782. 1783. 1784.
The difperfed Indian Congregation begin to flock to the
Mijfionaries. Building of NewG?iaden/juetten on
the River Huron. Gradual Snccefs of the Endeavors
to colled the difperfed Congregation. Severity of the
Winter. Famine. Relief p?'ocured. The Situation
cf Affaii's requires an Emigration from Ne'iu-Gnaden-
hueitenf
THE above-rmentioned difperfion of the Indian congre-
gation was more partictilarly painful to the miffion-.
arics, as they juftly feared, that the fouls of the believing
Indians would fuffer great injury by their converfc with the
Heatlien. They therefore, far from making ufe of the liberty^
given them by the Governor to return to Bethlehem, refolved
from motives of duty and afFeftion, to ufe their utmoft exer-
tions, by degrees to gather their fcattered flock. In this view
they took fleps to build a new fettlement and to invite the be-
lieving Indians to return to them. After feveral conferences
•yvith the Governor, who much approved of their plan, he
propofed
f po '^he M'Jjionar'ies nffijled hy the Gowvjwr P. III.
propofed a fpot about thirty miles from Detroit on tlie river
Huron, which upon examination they found very conveni-
ent for the purpofe. But as it was neceffary to have the
cenfent of the Chief of the Chippeway tribe to whom that
country belonged, the Governor undertook to procure it.
The only objeciion the Chief made^ was, that perhaps the
Delawares would be difpleafed, and reproach them with hav-
ing perfuaded their friends to forfake them. To this the
Governor replied, that as the Delawares had driven the
Chrifhian teachers away, they had likewife banifhed the
Chriftian Indians, who were now feeking fome friend to
receive them, and that the Delawares could not interfere
without fliowing their ow^n (hame and folly. The Chippe-
ways then gave their confent with the ufual folemnities, and
the Governor generoufiy fent a melTage with a firing of
' wampom to all the difperfed Chriftian Indians, to give them
notice of this tranfaclion and to invite them to rejoin their
teachers, promifing, that they fliould enjoy perfe£l liberty of
confcience and be fupplied with provifions and other necef-
faries of hfe.
The confequence of this meafure was, that on the
2d of July tlie mifiionaries had the inexpreffible fatisfac-^
tion, to bid two families of their beloved Indian flock wel^
come. Thefe were foon followed by Abraham, a vene-
rable aftiftant, with his and another family, who imme-
diately ere6led huts near the millionaries houfe. Bro-
ther Richard Connor arrived likewife with his family at
Detroit. One of the difperfed came with fome heathen
warriors to Detroit, painted like a favage. He did not ex-
pect to find the mifiionaries ftill there, but upon feeing
them, faid, " You fee, my brethren, that I have no more
*' the appearance of a Brother. I defpaired of evjsr hearing
" the \A^ord of God again from the Biethren ; I therefore
" thought, that I ought to live peaceably with the heathen
" and do as they do, left they fhould perfecute me. But as
" I perceive that tlie Indian congregation is gathering to-
*' gethcr again, and our teachers are with them, I pray, that
1 ^ « they
I
•Ch. XI. m colkclhig their Congregation. 191
'' tliey would kindly receive me again." This requeil wns
granted with pleaiure. The reft of the difperfed Indians
rejoiced greatly at the friendly melTage fent them by the
Governor and the miflionaries, but fufrered thcmfelves to be
intimidated by the lies of feme malicious people, who wiflied
to prevent them from returning to the Brethren, and re-
folved therefore to wait a little longer. In the mean time
the miflionaries began their ufual daily meetings with their
Indians, and met in the open air for want of a chapel. They
were commonlyjoined by the neighbors, prifoners and other
Grangers, to whom it was a new and intereiling fight, to fee
fuch devotion among the Indians ; and the fweet hnging of
of the Chriftian Indians was particularly admired. Here the
miflionaries had a good opportunity of bearing many a tefti-
mony of the grace of our Lord Jefus Chrift, to whom they
invited all the weary and heavy laden. As they were fre-
quently defired to baptize children or to bury the dead, they
improved thefe opportunities to preach the Gofpel both in
the Englifh and German languages. Brother Zeifberger
delivered alfo feveral difcourfes to the prifoners, many inha-
bitants of Detroit being prefent. By this time twenty-eight
believing Indians had returned to the millionaries, and they
therefore refolved, with the confent of the Governor, to
begin the building of the new fettlement on the above-men-
tioned fpot near the river Huron, trufting in the Lord, that
he would collect the remnant of the congregation in this
place. The Governor liberally aflifted them in various ways,
furniflied them with provifions, boats, planks and the necef-
fary utenfils from the royal ftores, and gave them fome horfes
and cows. His Lady prefented them with a valuable aflbrt-
jnent of feeds and roots, and both gave them the moft oblig-
ing proofs of their benevolent difpofition. The Brethren
were more particularly thankful to the Governor, that he
afllfl:ed them in renev/ing their correfpondence witliFennfyl-
vania and Europe, fo that they could again procvire money,
which was remitted by way of Montreal.
July'
1^2 B-utldbig of NeiV'GnadetihueiteH. P. III.
July 20th, 1782, the Brethren Zeifbcrger and Jungmau
with their wives, and the two fingle Brethren Edwards and
Michael Jung fet out with nineteen Indian Brethren and
Sifters from Fort Detroit. Many of the inhabitants had
conceived fo great a regard for them during their abode
there, that they flied tears at feeing them depart. The
Brethren Senfeman and Heckenwaelder with their families
remained with the reft of the believing Indians at Detroit,
to attend to the concerns of the reviving miffion in this place.
The travellers paiTed over lake St. Claire into the river
Huron, arrived on the 21ft in the evening at the place def-
tined for their future refidence and chofe on the following
«Iay a convenient fpot on the fouth fide of die river, where
they marked out a fettlement, calling it Gnaden-huetten,
in remembrance of their fettlement on the Muftingum. But
for the fake of greater perfpicuity, I fliall call this place
New-Gnadenhuetten. In the evening they affembled to
thank and praife tlie Lord for his mercy, and to implore his
affiftance, grace and prote£lion in future.
They now entered chearfully upon the work, built
huts of bark, laid out gardens and plantations, for which
they found good foil, and maintained themfelves by hunting
and nfhing. Sycamore, beech, afli, lime, oak, poplar and
liiccory were the moft common trees. They alfo found here
faflafras trees of a larger fize than they had feen any where
clfe. Wild liemp grew in abundance, but fait was a rare
article, and could not be had even for money. They there-
fore acknowledged it as a blelTing of God, when they dif-
covered fome fait fprings which yielded a fufficient quantity.
There were alfo frefh fprings in great plenty. The climate
feemed very different from that on the Muikingum. In the
bec^inning they were fo tormented by the ftings of all man-
ner of infe£ts, particularly mufquitoes, that they vv^ere ob-
liged conftantly to keep up and lie in a thick fmoke. But
ih(i more they cleared the ground of the under-wood with
\vh.ich it v.'as every where covered, the more the infefts de-
cj:eafe4
Ch. XL 1.'he Ckippsivays vifit Nt'w-Gn-adenhueilsn. ipj
crcafcd in numbers. They had no where met fo few
ferpents.
In Auguft they began to build, and firft eredled only one
ftreet of block houfes. Towards the end of the month, thofe
who had ftaid in Detroit followed them to New-Gnaden-
huetten., and the miflionaries moved into their new houfe.
September aid they had a folemn celeLTation of the Lord*s
Supper, which appeared as new to the Indians, as if thej
now partook of it for the firfl time. By degrees more of the
difperfed flocked together. They had been in great danger oi?
their lives in the country of the Shawanofe, and efcaped
only by a precipitate flight. Whenever our Indians paflel
through Detroit to New-Gnadenhuetteu the Governor
always provided them with food, and if needful with cloth-
ing. Even the inhabitants of New.Gnadenhuttten went
now and then to Detroit to fetch provifions, which the Gover-
nor kindly ordered to be given them gratis, till they coui4
reap their own fruits. General Haldimand at Quebec greatly
approved of the friendly behar\'ior of the Governor, and it
muft be in general obferved, that the Englifli Government
always ftiowed extraordinary kindnefs and benevolence to-
wards the miflion and its fervants.
In Autumn 1782 the Chippeways began to vifit New-
Gnadenhuetcen, and behaved with friendlinefs and modefty.
But as to the Gofpel, which the Indian alullants preached to
them with great zeal, they only heard it with fdent attention.
The Clilppeways are generally efteemed the beffc and moll
peaceable among the Indian tribes, but they are very indolent,
plant but little, live chiefly by hunting, boil acorns as faucc
to their meat, and even like the Calmuck Tartars cat thi
flelh of dead horfes.
November 5th, the fmall flock of believinglndiansjCollecSlecl
here to the number of fifty-three perfons, met to confe-
crate their new church unto God, and having enjoyed great
blefling during the celebration of the feftivai of our Lord's
uativity, clofed this year of weeping_and forrov/, with praifc'
an4
194 Peace ejiahripjedbetivse?i England andthe United States. P. IIT.-
and thankfgiving, humbly adoring tlie Lord for the wife and
gracious leading of His providence.
The beginning of the year 1783 was attended with the
bleffings of the peace of God. The miilionaries particularly
felt great fatisfaftion in having efcaped from the power of the
favage Delaware Chiefs, having made a fad experience of
the dreadful fituation of a Chriflian congregation under
heathen rule and government. They began again, as for-
merly, to preach the Gofpel with boldnefs, and faw with
pleafure, that the word of the crofs proved alfo here to be
the power of God unto falvation to fome favages, one of
whom requefted and obtained permiffion to dwell at New-
Gnadenhuetten.
God alfo blefled our Indians in externals. The maple-fugaf
boiling turned out well beyond expectation. In hunting they
had extraordinary fuccefs, and their trade confifted chiefly in
bartering venifon and Ikins for Indian corn and other necef-
faries of life. They alfo made canoes, baficets and other
articles, for which they found good cuftom at Detroit.
In May 1783 the miflionarics received the joyful news of
the conclufion of peace between England and the United
States, and in July they had the pleafure to fee the Brethren
Weygaudand Schebofch arrive from Bethlehem, after a jour-
ney of above feven weeks by way of Albany, Ofwego, Nia-
gara, Fort Erie and Fort Detroit. By thefe Brethren they
received an account of the fympathizing fliare which the
whole Unity of the Brethren both in America and Europe
took in their great afflidlions, and derived great confo-'
ktion from this proof of brotherly love. Brother Schebofch,
"whofe wife and family had already fettled at New-Gnaden-
huetten, ftaid with them, but Brother Weygand returned in
September with Brother Michael Jung.
The greater part of the Indian congregation was yet feat-*
tered among the heathen, moftly in the country of the Twicht-
wees, about 250 miles to the fouth weft of New-Gnaden-
huetten. The miflionarics omitted no opportunity offend-
ing verbal meflages to invite them to come to the new fettle-
ment.
Ch. XI. Situation of the difperfed Chr'ijlian Indians. 195
ment, but frequently found that the bearers perverted their
contents, from motives of malice and treachery. The enemies
of the Gofpel fpared no pains, to cherifli the imaginary fears
which the believing Indians had of the white people and
efpecially of the Englifh Government, merely with a view to
hinder the re-union of the congregation, and, if pofTible, to
detain the greater part in the clutches of the heathen. There
they were truly as fheep among wolves, expofed to number-
lefs vexations, and robbed by the favages even of the little
they had faved. New-Gnadenhuetten was defcribed to them
as a very defolate and dangerous place, where they would
meet with certain death. Some heathen Chiefs commanded
them in an authoritative tone, to be refigned to their fate
and to refume the heathen manner of living, ** for now,'*
faid they, " not a fingle word of the • Gofpel fliall be any
*' more heard in the Indian country." Some weak minds
were intimidated, others even fell into fmful pradlices, and
a falfe fhame afterwards hindered ihem from returning to the
congregation.
Accounts of thefe painful occurrences arrived from time
to time at New-Gnadenhuctten, and as no outward mea-
fures could be contrived to help the afflidled people, the whole
congregation was the more earned in ofrering up prayer and
fupplication unto God, that he himfelf would fearch and feek
out his fcattered flock. Thefe prayers were gracioufly an-
fwcred. For in the fummer of 1783 three young Indians
ventured to go to New-Gnadenhuetten, that with their
own eyes they might difcovcr the truth. One of them ftaid
there, but his two companions returned with joy, to bring
the good news of what they had feen and heard to the reft.
On hearing this report forty-three of their companions fet
out immediately to return to the flock. But as they were
frequently detained on the road to procure food by hunt-
ing, they fent a meffenger to inform the miffionaries of their
fituation. The latter applied to the Governor of Detroit,
ivho humanely fent them a fufficient fv'pply of provifions, foon
after
ig6 Mafiy return to the Cofigregatton, P. IL
after which they arrived at New-Gnadenhuetten, where the
joy of all was inexprefliblei
Others followed from time to tlmcinor would they be kept
back either by cunning infinuations or force. A baptized
woman was threatened by her relations, who all belonged to
the family of a principal Chief, that if flie returned to the
believing Indians, all her fine clothes iliould be taken from
her. But (he was not to be intimidated by thefe tlireats ;
*' What drives me to my teachers," faid fhe, " is the cori-
** cern I feel for the welfare of my foul and eternal happinefs.
*' What can it avail, though I pofTefs a houfe filled with fine
*' clothes, filver and other precious things, if after all, my
« poor foul is loft ?"
Many of thefe fcattered fiaeep ho-wever found caufe to
mourn, even with bitter tears, over the damage done to
their fouls by their late intercourfe with the heathen^
which now grieved them much more than all the misfortunes
they had otherwife experienced. On this account fome of
them were very bafhful, and upon their arrival at New-Gna-
denhuetten durft not as much as alk leave to dwell there :
but faid 'y " Though we fhould not be permitted to live
" again amongft you, yet it \v\\\ yield us fome confolation, to
" be allowed to fee your dwellings at a diftance." But they
were all received with open arms, and treated with brotherly
love and compafllon. Others ftaid through fear among the
favnges, and fome fell back into heathenifm. •
In all thefe events it became more evident than ever, that God
had been pleafed to permit the Indian congregation to be fifted
as wheat, that all who were not of Ifrael's right kind, might fall
through. The miffionaries were therefore the more thankful
for the evident proofs of the labor of the Holy Ghoft In the
hearts of thofe who returned to the flock, and who foon re-
covered a full participation of all the blefiings and privileges
enjoyed in the fellowihip of believers. A baptized man,
called Renatus, who had been enticed away from the con-
gregation at Friedenshuetten, and ftrayed for many years
together
Ch, XI. Bijpiites amottg the favage Tr'Aes. tg'j
together in the wildernefs, returned to the congregation in
this place. Being ill, he begged for mercy and pardon.
Some Brethren having affembled around his bed, gave him
folemn aflurance of the forgivenefs of the congregation ;
after which he faid : " I am now fatisfied, and rejoice, that
" I fhall foon be with the Lord for ever. I do not defire to
" recover, but that my Savior would foon take me home unto
« himfelf."
By the accounts brought by feveral who returned to the
Brethren, it appeared that the three tribes of the Delaware
nation had frequent and violent difputes, concerning the
deplorable fate of the Indian congregation. Thofe of the
Wolf [fee Part I.] under the command of Captain Pipe, had
fworn deftru£lion to the Brethren, and made the ruin of the
Gofpel the chief aim of their warlike proceedings, in which
view alfo they infligated the Hurons to a6l fo treacherous a
part towards our Indians, and as a reward for their fuccefs,
had willingly made over to them the whole booty gained on
the Mufkingum. Finding themfelves difappointed at laft,
and not able, with all their lies and cunning, to hinder the
fcattered Indian Brethren from following their teachers, they
were greatly enraged. The other two tribes, who had never
confented to their proceedings, now reproached them in the
moft bitter terms on account of their malice and folly. One
of the Delaware Chiefs, who was advifed by the reft, to
prevent the believing Indians in his territory from return-
ing to the miffionaries, replied, " I fliall never hinder any
*' one of my friends from going to their teachers. Why did
*' you expel them ? I have told you beforehand, that if you
*' drive the teachers away, the believing Indians would not
" ftay. But yet you would do it, and now you have loft the
*' believing Indians together with their teachers. Who mur-
*' dered the believing Indians on the Mufkingum .'' Did the
" white people murder them ? I fay. No ! You have com-
" mitted the horrid deed ! Why could you not let them live
" in peace where they were ? If you had let them alone,
*' they would all have been living at this day, and we fhould
Part III. P « nosr
ipS Deuafe of the In^mn S'lflcr Martha. P. lit
" now fee the faces of our friends : but you determined
" otherwife." In a council of war, held in the autumn of
1783, in which they confulted how they might carry on the
war to the greateft advantage, the above two tribes faid to
the V/olf, whofe Chief was Captain Pipe : " Lift up the
*' hatchet, and make as- good ufe of it againfl your enemies,
*' as you have done agaiuft your friends, the believing In-
" dians, who always treated you well, and did not even lift
** up a knife to defend themfelves, when you attacked
« them."
In November the miffionarles began the ufual conferences
tvith the Indian afTiflants, and renewed their covenant
with them, to ferve the Lord with faithful nefs and in bro-
therly love, and to treat their brethren atid fifters with love
and forbearance.
Several of our Indians departed this life in the year
1783, and their end was edifying. Among others an Indian
lifter, called Martha, fell happily aflcep in Litiz, a fettle-
ment of the Brethren in Pennfylvania. She was born at
Shekomeko in the year 1737, and left a written account of
her life, in which flie relates with great franknefs, how
■wicked (lie lived as an heathen ; ar/d ehat on her being awak-
ened, none of all her fins and tranfgrelh'onis appeared fo great
and dreadful, as her unbelief in Jefus Chrift,. her Creator
and Redeemer. That he afterwards received her in mercy
and granted her a feal of her pardon and redemption in
holy baptifm, and then led her into the enjoyment of all
the bleffings procured for us by his fufferiogs and death.
She adds : " To conclude, I can fay with joy aaid confidence,.
" that though I feel myfelf very unworthy, yet my foul is
" redeemed. I depend entirely upon his mercy. I have
" nothing to plead, but his merits, and the virtue of the
''- blood he Ihed, whenhe was woundedfor my tranfgrefllons."
She was one &f thofe four Indian Sifters, who were fent ia
1764 to our Indian congregation, then confined in the bar-
racks at Philadelphia. She had learnt the mantua-making
bulinefs, of which fne became perfect millrefs, and^aflifted
3 alfft!
Ch. XT. Severe Cold a)2cl Famine. 1 99
alfo in the fchool with mofl exemplary faithfulnefs. The
cruel murder committed upon fo many of her beloved coun-
trymen and relations gave her declining health a fatal blow.
She fell afleep in peace, longing ardently to fee her Re-
deemer face to face.
In the beginning of the year 1784 a moft extraordinary
froft fet in, extending over the v/hole country about New-
Gnadenhuetten. Ail the rivers and lakes were frozen, and
the oldeft inhabitants of Detroit did not remember ever to
have feen fuch a deep fall of fnow. In fome places it lay
five or fix feet deep. The long continuance of this fevere
weather was the caufe of great diftrefs. March 6th the
fnow was ftill four feet deep 5 about the end of the month
it began to melt, but the ice on the river Huron did not break
till the 4th of April, and Lake St. Claire was not free from
ice in the beginning of May.
As no one expelled fo long and fevere a winter, there
was no provifion made either for man or bead. The extra-
ofdinary and early night-frolts lad autumn had deftroyed a
great part of the promifing harvefl of Indian corn, and thus
our Indians foon began to feel want. For what was bought
at Detroit was very dear, and the bakers there refufed to fell
bread at a Spanifli dollar per pound. The deep fnow prevented
all hunting. Qiir Indians were therefore obliged to difperfe
to feek a livelihood wherever they could get it, and fome lived
upon nothing but wild herbs. At length a general famine
prevailed, and the hollow eyes and emaciated countenances
of the poor people were a fad token of their diftrefs. Yet
they appeared always refigned and chearful, and God in due
feafon relieved them, A large herd of deer flirayed unes-
peftedly into tlie neighborhood of New-Gnadenhuetten, of
which the Indians fliot above an hundred, though the cold
was then fo intenfe, that feveral returned with frozen feet,
owing chiefly to their wearing fnow flioes.
They now began again to barter venifon for Indian corn
at Detroit, and thus were delivered from the danger of fuffer-
ing the fame extremity of diftrefs as in Sand^iiky. A-s foon
P3 «
2.00 Account of New-GfiadenhuCtten. P. IIF.
as the fnow melted, they went in fearch of wild potatoes, andE
came home loaded with them. When the ice was gone, they
went out, and caught an extraordinary number of fiflies.
Bilberries were their next refource, and they gathered great
quantities, foon after which they reaped their crops of In-
dian corn, and God blefied them with a very rich harveft, fo
that there was not one who lacked any thing.
Towards the end of May, the Governor of Detroit, now
Colonel De Peyftcr, removed to Niagara, and both the mif-
fionaries and the believing Indians fincerely regretted the lofs
of this humane man, their kind frietid and benefa6lor. He
recommended them to the favor of his worthy fucceflbr,
Major Ancrom, in whom they found the fame benevolent
difpofition towards them.
The more the good fame of New-Gnadenhuetten fpread,
the more frequent were the vifits of the white people, who
could not fulliciently admire the expedition with which the
believing Indians hadraifed this pleafant fettlement. They
alfo heard here the Gofpel of Jefus Chrift, which doubtlefs
had a good efFe6l on fom.e. As it happened, that no ordained
Protellant divine refided in Detroit at that ti«ie, the miflion-
arles, at the requeft of the parents, baptized feveral children,
when they vifited the Fort. Some parents brought their chil-
dr(^n to New-Gnadenhuetten, to be baptized there, and a
trader, who had two unbaptized children, went thither with
Iiis wife and whole family, and publicly prefented his chil-
dren to the Lord in holy baptifm. This tranfaftion was moft
av/ful and (Iriking to all prcfent. But as to the ceremony
of marriage, which feveral perfons defired the mifTionarles
to perform, they wilhed on many accounts to be excufed
as much as poffible.
The induftry of the Chriftian Indians had nov/ rendered
New-Gnadenluiecten a very pleafant and regular town.
The haufes were as well built, as if they intended to
live and die in them. The country, formerly a dread-
ful wlldernefs, was now cultivated to that extent, 'that
k .rifToi'dcd a fufficient maintenance for them. The reft they
noM'
Ch. XL Account of Nevj-Gnadeiihiicth-77: 201
now enjoyed was particularly iweet after fuch terrible fcenes
of trouble and diftrefs. But towards the end of the year
178a it appeared that they would likewife be obliged to quit
this place. Some of the Chippeways had already lafl year
exprefied their diflatisfatlibn, that the believing Indians
fhould form a fettlement in a country, which had been their
chief hunting place: but the Governor of Detroit pacified
them at that time with good words. Now they renewed
their complaints, pretending, that they had only allowed
our Indians to live there, till peace fnould be eftabliflied,
and even threatened to murder f^me of them, in order to
compel the reft to quit the country. After many confulta-
tions, it evidently appeared, that the complaints and vexa-
tious demands of this nation would not ceafe. Added to this,
the Governor of Detroit fent word to the believing Indians,
that they (liould not continue to clear land and build, nothing
being yet fixed either as to the territory or government.
The miflionaries therefore thought ic moft prudent to take
ileps to return with their congregation to the fouth fide of
Lake Erie, and to fettle near the river Walhalding. This
propofal being approved of by the congregation, the Gover-
nor of Detroit was informed of it and preparations were
made to emigrate in the fpring of 1785.
November 14, 17B4, the firft grown perfon was baptiz-
ed in New-Gnadenhuetten, which proved a great encourage-
ment, both to the miflionaries and the Indian congregation,
and the year was clofed with joy and praife to the Lord, who
had laid a peculiar blefiing upon the internal courfe of th?.
congregation.
202 Accoimt of New-Gnadenhuetten^ P. HI,
CHAPTER XII.
1785. 1786.
Further Revival and happy Progrefs of the Mljfion^
Some AliJJionaries return to Bethlehem* Emigration
from New-GnadenJmetten. Tedious Voyage to Ca-<
yahaga, zi^'here Pilgerruh is built. Various Accounts^
THE pleafing and peaceful internal ftate of the mifTioa
made the year 1785 a period of joy and confola-
tion. The daily worfhip of the congregation went on un-
nioieiled and in a regular courfe, the public and private dif-
courfes of the mifTjonaries were full of comfort and inflruc-
tion, by which the growth of our Indians in the knowledge
of Jefus Chrift, and of themfelves, was greatly promoted,
They could rejoice in an extraordinary manner over the
■young people, whofe internal profperity exceeded all their
expeftation.
The preaching of the Gofpel was alfo attended with much
"blefling to the white vifitors. One of them, a captain of h-
fliip, declared after the fermon, that the minifter had cer-.
tainly meant him ; for his whole difcourfe had been defcrip-
tive of his flate of mind, and had pointed out to him the
whole of his prefent fpiritual condition.
Several companies of Chlppeways who came to New-Gna-.
denhuetten, were not only hofpitably treated by our Indians,
but heard the word of God from them. On Whitfunday
two grown perfons were baptized, which not happening very
frequently at this time, afforded peculiar pleafure to the mif-s
fonapies,
During the winter the wolves became very troublefome.
They traverfed the country in packs, feeking food, and tors
a Chippeway Indian and his wife to pieces, not far from the
fettlcmcnt, One of the Indian brethren was chafed for (c-
veial
CIi. XII. Some Mijfic7:aries return to Btthlehem. 203
vera] miles on the ice by fome of thefe voracious animals,
but being furnilbed with ilcates, he got the Hart of them
and efcaped. The milhonarics had the misfortune to lofe
all their horfes, by their greedily eating a certain juicy plant,
which proved a deadly poifon.
The believing Indians had now made all the neceflary pre-
parations to leave New-Gnadenhuetten. The agent of In-
dian affairs at Fort Detrort had alfo fent meffages to all the
nations on the other fide of Lake Erie, to acquaint them
with the return of the Indian congregation and to enfure to
them a kind reception. But fome unexpedled accounts of
new troubles in thofe parts and a variety of contradictory re-
ports rendered every thing fo uncertain, that even the Gover-
nor of Detroit and the above-mentioned agent advifed them
not to emigrate at prefent. They therefore refclved to plant
once more on the river Huron.
In May 1785 the milHonariesJungman and Senfeman re-
turned with their families from New-Gnadenhuetten to Beth-
lehem. They took a very affe<£i:ing leave of their beloved
Indian Brethren, with whom they had faithfully fliared the
greatefl anxiety, diftrefs and affliction, and then proceeded
down the river Huron into Lake St. Claire, thence to De-
troit, and crofling Lake Erie to Niagara and Ofwego, then
down Ofwego river to Lake Oneida, and thence down the
Waldbach to Fort Stanwix. They then arrived by a car-
rying^place at the Mohawk river, and proceeding to Sche-
,nechtady, -went by land to Albany, then by water to New
Windfor, and again by land to Bethlehem. God difpofed
feveral people kindly to affifl them in this tedious and peril-
ous peregrination, and brought them fafe to their brethren.
Brother Senfeman met with a particular prefervation upon
the water, being in a fudden fquall thrown overboard by tlie
yard. But providentially a float of timber had come along-
lidc, and he fell upon it without receiving any hurt.
The million was now under the care of the Brethren
Zeifberger, Heckenwaelder, and Edwards. The latter went
in July with three Indian -Brethren to Pittfburg Avith a view
P 4 t(i>
204 Refolutions of Congrefs hi favor of the M'ffion. P. Ill,
to gain certain information concerning the Hate of affairs in
the Indian country, and to fearch out for a proper fituation
on the river Walhalding to eftablifli a new fettlement. In
Pittfburg he was told, that ftrlclly fpeaking not an inch of
land to the eaft of Lake Erie could be called Indian country,
the United States having claimed every part of it j and though
they did not intend to drive the Indians away by force, yet
they would not permit them to live in the neighborhood of
the white people. He alfo received letters from Bifliop John
de Watteville, who had arrived from Europe to hold a vifita-
tion in the congregations of the Brethren in North America,
by which he was informed that Congrefs had exprefsly referved
the diftricl belonging to the three fcttlements of the Chrif-
tian Indians on the Muficingum to be meafured out and given
to them, with as much land as the furveyor general fhould
think proper. The fame intelligence he likewife received
from the Philadelphia papers, and haftened home to acquaint
the Indian congregation with this unexpedled decifion in
their favor, which occafioned univerfal joy. An Indian is
naturally very averfe to dwelling in any place, where one of
his relations has been killed, but the believing Indians had
even parted with this kind of fuperftition, and longed to be
there as foon as poflible.
But one circumftance after the other tended to delay their
removal. The Indian nations feemed refolved to carry on
the war againft the United States ; and even a great part of
the Delawares and Shawanofe declared their intention to
oppofe the return of the believing Indians by force. But
notwithftanding thefe gloomy profpecls, the miffionaries fent
word to thofe of their Indians, who were flill fcattered
abroad, that having refolved to return to the Muflcingum
they fliould be glad to meet them beyond Lake Erie at any
place they might appoint.
In September 1785 above forty ftrange Indians, Dela-
wares and Mahikans, came on a vifit to New-Gnadcnhuetten.
This was the firfl vifit of this kind the Brethren had received
on the river Huron, and it gave them great joy to perceive
that in many the Gofpel found entrance. One of them
fpoke
Ch. XII. The Heathen vifit Ne-zv-Gnadenhietien. io%
fpoke afterwards with one of the affiftants, and faid, " That
*' he was anxiaus to be faved, but not having found the way
" to happinefs among the wild Indians, he hoped to find it
" among the believers. One thing only," added lie, " makes
*' me doubt and hefitate : I am a wicked finner, and have
*' fhed much human blood in war. "When I confider this,
*' I think I hear fomebody fay : It is all in vain; 'do not
** think of being faved: you cannot be converted, for yoa
" have committed too many fins. But yet I wifh to know,
*' whether there be help for me, and whether there be any
*' one among the believers, who has been as great a finner as
" I am." This gave the afliftant an opportunity to deolarc
to him the great love of Jefus to the word of finners, afllir-
ing him that he would alfo pardon and fave murderers, hav-
ing done it when hanging on the crofs. The fame heathen
one day related to a party, who arrived too late to attend the
fermon, what he had heard and retained in his memory;
viz. : " That we may receive the forgivenefs of fins, new
*' life and happinefs in Jefus Chrifb alone, who had purchaf-
" ed all thefe bleflings for us by his bitter fufferings and death
*' upon the crofs; that he is the true God, and our only Sa-
^' vior." He added, " Much more has been told us, but thus
" much I have kept in my memory."
Soon after this vifit, another large party of Delavvai-es,
Mahikans, and Nantikoks came to New-Gnadenhuetten, and
their behavior gave great fatisfa£lion both to the miffionaries
and their congregation. They did not mifs one opportunity
to hear the Gofpel, being remarkably attentive and even de-
firing the affiftants further to explain the words of the mif-
fionaries to them, fo that there was reafon to hope that the
feed of the word would fall upon good ground and bring
forth fruit in due feafon.
In the beginning of the year 1786 our Indians received
another meflage, that the Chippeway Chief, upon whofe
land they had fettled, was determined not to fuffer them to
flay any longer. Befides this a band of murderers of the
Chippeway tribe renderecl the whole neighborhood very un.^
fafc.
'2o6 Preparations made to emigrate. P. Itir
fafe. The miflxonaries therefore refolved, notwithftanding
the threats of the favages beyond Lake Erie, to accomplifh
their defign of emigrating this fpring, and even though they
could not at prefent take pofleflion of their fettlements on
the Muflfingum, to fettle in the firft convenient place they
fhould find. The commanding officer at Detroit, Major
Ancrom, approved of this plan, and fent a formal meflage to
the Indian tribes, that they {hould not molell: the believers,.
He alfo managed matters fo, that they received fome con-
fideration for their houfes and plantations on the river
Huron, came himfelf to New-Gnadenhuetten, and moil
humanely offered to grant veffels to carry the whole congre-
gation at once to Cayahaga, and to furnifii them there with
provifions. They accepted of this kind offer, as proceeding
from the gracious interference of the Lord in their be-r
half, and v/ere thus at once delivered from an embarraffmg
fituation.
In IMarch, Government having ordered a furvey of the
land, and determined that Nev/-Gnadenhuetten fhould be
inhabited by white people, they received many vifitors from
Detroit, who took a view of the place and premifes.
immediately after Eafter 1786 both the miffionaries and
Indians put themfelves in readinefs to depart. April 20th
they met for the laft time in the chapel at New-Gnadenhuet'»
ten to offer up praife and prayer unto the Lord, thanking
him for all the benefits and mercies received in this place,
3nd commending themfelves to his grace and proteftion.
Then they all fet out in twenty-two canoes, except the
family of Richard Conner who ilaid behind. The white in-
habitants of that country, both Englifh and French, came
from all places to take leave of our Indians, and expreffed
great forrow at their departure ; having always found them
upright and punctual in their dealings. At Detroit they
were well received by the Governor and treated with great
hofpitaiky for feveral days. By confent of the agent of In-*
dian affairs, a meeting was appointed between our Indians
nnd feveral Chippev.^ay Chiefsj one of the king's interpret-
ers
Ch. XII. Voyage to Cayahaga, 207
crs attending. Some deputies of the Indian congregation
delivered feveral fpeecli€s to the Chippeway Chiefs, expreff-
ing their gratitude for their goodnefs in allowing them to
take refuge in their country, where they had now lived four
years in peace and fafety, and informing them of their in-
tention to return to their own home beyond the Lake. After
this addrefs, they prefented the Chiefs with a bundle of fomc
thoufands of wampom, in token of gratitude. One of the
Chiefs, rlfmg and holding a ftring of wampom in his hand,
faid : " Grandfather ! we love you, and would rather that
*' you would (lay with us, and return to the river Huron,'*
This empty compliment was however contradicted by another
Chief on the fame day.
The following circumftance gave peculiar joy to the mif.
fionaries: the whole neighborhood acknowledged the believ-
ing Indians to be not only an induftrious, but an ^one/i peo-
ple, infomuch that the traders in Detroit never refufed them
credit, being fure of punCtual payments. However fome
of them were not fufficiently cautious, efpecially during the
famine, when they were obliged to run into debt. One
trader alone had a cjalm of 200I. flerling upon them, fo
that the miffionaries feared, that difagreeable confequences
might enfue. But the Indian Brethren began betimes to
work hard for it, and at their departure, paid all their
debts to the laft farthing. There was only one poor man,
■who, being a father of many children, could not find money
to pay, and therefore came to make his diftrefs known to
the miffionaries. They were immediately willing to afTift
him, but it happened meanwhile, that as his wife was walk-
ing in the fields with the children, one of them found a
guinea. She firft took it to be a piece of brafs, till the
mifFionaries informed her of its value, when the father im-
mediately went to his creditor, paid his debt, and had a
few fliiliings to fpare.
April the 28th the travellers went on board of tM^o trading
veiTels, called the Beaver and the Makina, belonging to the
NorthAVeft Company. Mr, Aflcing, a partner and dire<Slor,
had
2oS Voyage to Cayahaga. P. III.
liad kindly offered them for the fervice of the Indian congre-
gation, and given orders to the captains to treat their paf-
fengers with all poflible kindnefs and not to run any rifk,
ill cafe of danger. They had a good voyage till they ar-
rived at a certain ifland, where their patience was tried for
four weeks, rhe wind being contrary the whole time. They
pitched their camp upon the ifland, following the veffels
■whenever they fliifted their pofition to be ready to ftart
with the firft favorable breeze. As often as there appeared
the lead profpe6l of proceeding, they all went on board, but
returned on fliore feveral tirAes through difappointment.
Once they fet fail in good earned, and with a brifk gale,
made fo fwift a progrefs, that they foon faw the coaft of
Cayahaga before them, but fuddenly the wind fliifted and
drove them to their former ftation on the ifland. Mod of
our Indians were fo fick during this gale, that they lay on
deck half dead and fenfelefs. To prevent their rolling
overboard, the captains ordered them to be fattened to the
deck.
During their relidence in this ifland they met to their
daily worfhip in the ufual regular manner, praifing the Lord
who had helped them thus far, and trufting that he had wife
Teafons for detaining them here fo long. They lived by
hunting and fifliing, and found wild potatoes, onions, and
feveral kinds of wholefome herbs in abundance. But after
a few weeks, obferving that they had cleared this ifland of
game, they went to another, where they found a better ha,-
ven and good hunting, but a remarkable number of rattle-
fnakes.
May 28th a veffel fent from Detroit, to inquire into the
caufe of their long abfence and to recall the Beaver, arrived
from Detroit j the Makina was then ordered to carry the
congregation over to Cayahaga in two divifions. Biit as this
would have lafted too long, and might have occafioned great
inconvenience, for want of provifions, the captains agreed
to a propofal made by the mifl&onaries, to land the people in
two divifions at Sandulky bay, and then to carry the bag-
Ch. XII. Vopge to Cay^ihaga. 2cg
gage to Cayahaga. The wind (hifting in their favor, the firfl:
divifion, led by Brother Zeifberger, failed on the 29th', buc
being unable to reach Sandufky, they went on fhore at Rocky
Point about eighty miles off that bay. Here they had to
afcend very high and fteep rocks, and to cut a way through
the thicket to their fummit, but yet wepe glad to fet their
feet on land again.
They had hardly pitched their camp, before a party of
Ottawaws who were hunting in that neighborhood, rode to-
wards them and expreffed great aflonifliment to find fuch a
large number of people encamped in this pathlefs defert.
Our Indians treated them as hofpitably as their circum-
ilances would permit, and were in return prefented by the
Ottawaws with fome deer's flefh, and informed of the man-
ner in which they might beft make a way through the forefts
through which they had to pafs. The day following they
all fet out on foot, and every one, the iniirionnry and his
wife not excepted, was loaded with a proportionable part of
the provifions. Thofe who formed the van, had the greateft
difficulties to encounter, being obliged to cut and break their
way through the thicket. They foon arrived at a large brook
running through a fwamp, through which all the Indians,
both men and women, v/aded, fome being ap to their arm-
pits in the water. Some of the children v/ere carried, others
fwam, and Brother ZciPoerger and his wife were brought
over upon a barrow, carried by four Indian Brethren. When
they arrived at Sanduiky Bay, they hired boats of the Otta-
waws, from whom alfo they received frequent vifits during
their ilay. One evening the favages had a dance, and none of
the Chriltian Indians appearing at it, as they expected, fome
came and endeavored to perfuade the young people to join
them ; but meeting with a refufal, they addrelTed Brother
Zeifberger, begging him to encourage them. He replied, that
the Chriflian Indians lived no more after the manner of the
heathen, Jiaving found fomething better. June 3d they
croifed the Sanduiky Bay, and the day after, the river Pett-
quottlng, in a veffel belonging to a French trader. During
I tlik
2 Id JM-ual at Cayahaga. P. Ilf,
this journey they celebrated the Whitfuntlde holidays, and
rejoiced to fee many attentive hearers among the heathen.
June 4th the fecond divifion of the congregation led by
Brother Heckenwaelder, overtook them in flight canoes,
made haftily of bark, the floop Makina having failed with
the heavy baggage ftrait for Cayahaga. The whole congre-
gation now travelled together, one half on foot along the
coaft of the lake, and the other in canoes, keeping as clofe as
poflible to the {hore. June 7th they arrived at the celebrated
rocks on the fouth coaft of Lake Erie. They rife forty or
fifty feet perpendicular out of the water, and are in many
places fo much undermined by the waves, that they feem
confiderably to projed: over the lake. Some parts of
them confifl of feveral ftrata of different colours, lying
in an horizontal direcStion and fo exaflly parallel, that
they refemble the work of art. The foot paffengers had a
noble view of this magnificent work of nature, but though the
profpetl from the water was yet more grand, our Indians pafTed
with trembling, thanking God that the wind proved favorable
and gentle ; for if the leafl florm arifes, the force of the
furf is fuch, that no vefTel could efcape being daflied to pieces
againft the rocks. They had hardly paffed the laft cliffs,
which are about ten miles in length, on which Colonel
Broadflieed fuffered fliipwreck in the late war and loft a great
number of his men, when a llrong wind arofe, fo that the
laft canoe was in danger and but narrowly efcaped. When-
ever the heathen pafs by thefe rocks, they facrifice fome to-
bacco to the water. Here the river Cayahaga, fometimes
called the Great River, empties itfelf into the lake. After the
canoes, the floop alfo arrived fafe, and drifted fo near the
(hore in a calm, that the baggage could be taken out and
carried to laud in canoes, upon which the floop returned to
Detroit.
Want of provifions made the travelling congregation fooii
hallen their departure from the mouth of the Cayahaga.
Indeed they found a large florchoufe filled with flour ; but
not meeting with its owner, they m'OuM not take any, though
prciTed
Ch. Xn. P'ligerruh hiillf. 2it
prefTed by hunger, and alfo obferving, that the neighboring
Chippeways continually robbed the ftore in a clandeftine
manner. They now built canoes, fome of wood and fome of
bark, and continued their voyage up the river, till they ar-
rived on the 1 8th of June at an old town, about one hundred
and forty miles diilant from Pittlburg, which had been for-
faken by the Ottawaws. This was the firft fpot they difco-
vered, fit k>x a fettlement ; for from the mouth of the river
to this place, they had met with nothing but a wild foreft.
Being entire (Irangers to the ftate of the adjacent country,
they refolved to fpend the fummer here. They firft encamped
on the eaft fide of the river, upon an elevated plain, built
huts, and having with much trouble cleared ground for plant-
ations, they even ventured to fow Indian corn, though ic
was fo late in the feafon. I fhall call this place Pilgerruh
(Pilgrim.s Reft).
Here they regulated their dally worfliip In the ufual man-
ner, re-eftabliflied the ftatutes of the congi-egation, and God
blefled their labors. Auguft the 13th they partook of the
Lord's Supper for the firft time on this fpot, which to them
was the moft important and blefied of all feftivals.
In externals, God granted them his gracious aiTiftancCy
Brother Zeift)erger having given information of the arrival
of the Indian congregation at the Cayahaga Creek to the Go-
vernor of Plttft)urg, and Brother Schebofch having been at
that place to endeavor to procure provifions, Mefirs. Duncan
and Wilfon were fo kind as to proviU'e our Indians with a
fufficient fupply> trufting them for 7. great part of the pay-
ment. Congrefs like wife ordered a quantity of Indian corn
and blankets to be given them. They alfo found means to
purchafe feveral neceflary articles from traders, pafllng
through on their way from Pittfburg to Detroit, and as they
had an opportunity of going by water to Sandulky and Pett-
quotting, they eafily procured Indian corn from thefe places.
The two hundred dollars, which they received for their
houfes and fields on the river Huron, enabled them to make
their payments- good. In Imnting deer^ bears, andmoofe-
dees*
212 Retttrn of the Chrijllah Indians' P. IlL
deer they were remarkably fuccefsful. The congregation at
Bethlehem had charitably collefted a confiderable quantity of
difFerent articles, to fupply the necefiities of the Chriflian
Indians, but thefe, having been detained on the road, did
not arrive at Pilgerruh till Au-guft 1786, when they were
equally divided among all;, the children even received their
ihare, and the whole congregation exprefled in the moil
lively terms their fincere acknowledgements to their kind be-
nefactors. Salt was not fo cafily procured here as on the
river Huron, the fait fprings being a great way off.
Though our Indians were again comfortably fettled, ye't
their minds were (iill berit upon returning ?.s foon as poflible
to tlieir fettlements on the river Mufkingum. But they were
foon cautioned, ' from the belt authority, not to proceed on
tlieir journey, as fo«ne white traders had been plundered and
murdered by the favages on the Muficingum no later than lad
May. They now clearly difcovered, why God had graci-
tiujly permitted them to be detained fo long on the iilands in
i.ake Erie. Had the voyage been expeditious, they would
have arrived on the Muftcingunl before the murder of. thefe
white people, and of courfe have been again broi'.ght into the
mort perilous fituation. Some Indian Brethren having travelled
by land to the river Muficingum, with a view to await the ar^
rival of the congregation, happened to be at Schocnbrunn
nt the time of the above-mentioned murder, and faved them-
felves by a timely flight: for as a gixat number of white
people went out immediately in purfuit of the murderers, the
Indian Bretln-en would doubtlefs have been taken for them
and fallen a uicrifice to their revenge. lilairy other circum-
llances plainly proved, that no fettled peace vv-as yet efta^
bliflied between the Indian nations, who were all waiting for
a renewal of hoftilities; alleging, that the war-hatchet put
>nto their hands fome time ago, had not been taken from
diem and buried, but only laid afide for a fliort time. The
American militia were alfo ftlll greatly enraged at the In-
dians, and threatened to kill all our people, if they fliould
attempt to return to their . fettlements on the Bluftingum-.
The
Ch. Xir. Account of P'llgerruK ' 2 1 3
The Chrifllan Indians therefore thought It moft advifeable, to
remain at Pilgerruh, till God himfelf (hould point out the
way, if it was his gracious will that they fhould proceed. It
became alfo more and more evident, that, as fo many nations
refilled the power of Congrefs and refolutely oppofed the
meafuring of their landsj the Indian congregation was in
much greater fafety on the Cayahaga, than on the Mu(k-
ingum, the warriors taking their ufual route through the latter
country. Another advantage attending the fettlement at
Pilgerruh was this, that in cafe of a recommencement of the
war in thofe parts, it was eafy for them, by croihng Lake
Erie, to take refuge at Detroit or Niagara. Notwithltand-
ing all thefe precautions, our Indians were however deter-
termined, not to give up their right to the land granted
them by Congrefs, and at leaft, if pofllble, to take previous
poflelTion of it.
The flrfl: Indian Brother vi^ho departed this life at Caya-
haga was Thomas, who as a youth had been fcalped at
Gnadenhuetten. He then efcaped from the general maf-
facre> but was now drowned in the river, as he was filhing.
Since he loft his fcalp, he was affli£led with fo violent a rheu-
matifm in the head, that it frequently took away his fenfes.
This was probably the occafion of his death, for he was.aa
excellent fwimmer, and his body was found in fhallow
water.
Pilgerruh was often vifitedby Chippeways, Ottawa ws, and
Delawares, v/ho exprefied a wi{h to hear the Gofpel, which
the Brethren preached to them with much pleafure. But
here they again met v/ith a fource of trouble, which they
had not experienced at the river Huron. For feveral
heathen Indians, who had relations among the believersj
came and endeavored to perfuade weak minds, to return to
heathenifm. Their feduftive infinuations fo far gained upon
a married woman, that fhe forfook her hufband, and vt^ith
her children followed her heathen friends. But the hulband
with fome courageous Indian Brethren purfued them, and
by force brought both his wife and children back, to the
Part III. CL great
214 Accnuit of Pilgerruh, V. l\h
great joy of the woman, who ah-eady moft fincerely repented
of her rafli condu£l.
In September 1786 the miffionaries fent fome meflengers
to the difperfed Chriftian Indians, admonifhing them not to
lofe their courage or to think that they were now too much
entangled with the heathen, and cafk ofF by God, but to go
with boldnefs to Jefus, our compaffionatre Lord and Savior,
caR themfelVes upon his mercy and return to fheir brethren.
In confequence of this meflage, many returned. Bat one of
them, who had loll all his children and almoft all his relations
by the maflacre on the Blufldngum, falling inta a deep me-
lancholy, miilrufled the miflionari^s and retired amang the fa-
vages. Being hovrever uneafy in his confcience, he difco-
vered his fentiments to Samuel^ one of the above-mentioned
inefiengers :• " I cannot," faid he, *' but entertain bad thoughts
*' of our teachers, nor can I get rid of them; they always
*■' recur to my mind. I think it was their fault, that fo many
*' of our countrymen were murdered at Gnadenhuetten.
" They betrayeel us, and informed the white people of our
" being there, by which they were enabled to furprife us
" with eafe. Tell me now, is this the truth, or not ?*' Sa-
muel anfwered: "Let me firfl a£k you, whether you are
*' quite in your right mind. Your queftion founds, to me,
*' as if you were not in your fenfes, and if fo, I would not
" chufe to give you any anfwer." The poor man afluring
him, that he was perfectly fenfible, Samuel afferted the
innocence of the miflionaries in the moft pofitive terms.
Then recollecting himfclf, he replied : *' I have now a wicked
" and malicious lieart, and tl-^refore my thoughts are evil.
*' As I look outwardly,, fo is my heart 'within :" for he was
painted all over red, and dreffed like a warrior. " What
" would it avail," added he, ** if 1 were outwardfy to ap-
*' pear as a believer, and yet my heart were full of evil.'^
" However I will foon com^e and vifit you."
Samuel endeavored Irkewife to fpeak to his own brother
in regard to his converfion, but received this unexpe£led
avTfwer : " Myanceftors are all gone to the devil, and where
« « they
Ch. XIII. Congrefs favors the M'lJJlon, 2 1 5
" they are, I will be likewife." Samuel anfwered : " I
" tremble at your words, they are harfh. But now I will
" tell you my mind. As long as I live, nothing {hall make
** me forfake our Savior and his congregation, neither tribu-
" lation, nor perfecution, nor fear, nor famine, nor danger
*' of my life. All this I can defpife, if I only pofTefs Jefus,
'* and the falvation of my foul, of which I am affured if I
" remain faithful to him."
In Odober 1786, the miflionary John Heckenv/aelder
took an afFe£l:ing leave of the Indian congregation, whom he
had ferved for many years with great faithfulnefs, and re-
turned with his family to Bethlehem, attended by the bed
wiflies and prayers of all the people, by whom he was greatly
beloved.
CHAPTER XIIL
1786. 1787.
^he Indian Congregation Is encouraged to return to the
Mujkingum, but detained by unfavorable Circum-
fiances. They refohe to leave Pilgerrub and to
fettle at Fettquotting. Building of New-Salem,
P leafing Courfe of the Mijfion. Conclufwn of ths
Hi/lory.
DAVID Zeifberger with his wife and the fingle Brother
Edwards were now left alone to care for the miffion.
They had all but lately recovered from heavy illnefles, and
had to furmount many difficulties attending their hard laboi".
But they put their troft in God, determined to employ all
the remaining powers of their fouls and bodies with joy in
his fervice.
Meanwhile the Brethren at Bethlehem received repeated
afiurances from Congrefs that their endeavors to propagate
Q^^ the
2 1 6' Ne^Troftbks. P. 115.
the Gofpel among the Indian tribes fliould be fupported by
Government. Mr. Charles Thompfon, fecretary of Con-
grefs, was particularly well difpofed towards them, and in a
letter declared that he Ihould efteem himfelf happy to be
made inftrumentai in faving the precious remnant of the
Indian congregation, and in promoting the general welfare
of this poor people. He therefore earneflly recommended
the caufe of the believing Indians both to Mr. James White,
agent of Indian aifairs fouth of the Ohio, and to General
Richard Butler, agent for the northern diftrift,. in which
Pilgerruh was fituated. This gentleman was fo kind as to
afllire the Brethren, that he would feize every opportunity
to promote the welfare of the milTion, not only on account
of Mr. Thompfon's recommendation, but from motives oS
humanity and religion. Congrefs had likewife fent a written
ordey, to acquaint our Indians that k had given Government:
much fatisfa£!:ion, to hear of their return into the territory
of the United States on this fide of La-ke Erie ; that, they
had leave to go back to their former fettlements on the river
Mufkingum, where they might be alTured of the friendfhip
and prote«Stion of Government, and that immediately upon
their arrival five hundred bufhels of Indian corn fhould be
given them from the public magazines on the river Ohio,
with other neceflaries of life.
Our Indians accepted this kind promife with great grati-
tude, and rejoiced in the profpecl of taking pofTeflion of
their own land on the Mulkingum, to' which they were fre-
quently encouraged by letters from Bethlehem, In the mean
time they doubted not but that they fliould be left undifturbed
at Pilgerruh, and there have the pleafure to fee their dif-
perfed Brethren gather unto them from the heathen. But
on the 1 7 th of October they were again difturbed. A mef-
fenger arrived late in the evening from Captain Pipe with an
account that the Americans had furprized the towns of the
Shawanofe, killed ten men, among whom was a Chief, burnt
and pillaged Vnehoufes and carried away thirty women and"
children prifoners: that befides this, an army had anived
from
Ch. XIII. Neiv Troables, 2 1 "i
from Pittfburg at Tufcarawl, and therefore the Inlia-bitants
cf Pilgerruh were advlfrd to fly kiimedlately, left they alio
fliould be furprifed by the euemy. The latter feemed fo in-
credible, that the mifiionaries endeavored to perfiiade the In-
^dians to the contrary. But all their arguments were in vain.
The horrid rnallacre on the INIuflvingum in the year 1782
immediately prefented itielf to their i-maginations, and they
were ib overcome with fear and dread, that in the fame
night all the women aiid children iled into the thickell psrt
of the wood 10 hide t^remfcives. On the' follovv'ing day, field
huts were erecle^l for them, where they might fhelter them-
felves from the cold, imd the Indian Bretlu-en brought fhem
provifions. Meflengeis were fent to Tufcarawi and on the
road to Pittfburg, whofe evidence tended to prove, that the
fear of an American army was entirely without foundation.
However in the evening of the 27th of Oclober^ a preat
noife and the found of ruany horfe-bells was djitinclJy heard.
The miiriouaiies fuppofed it to proceed from a traniport of
flour, which proved true ; but the liKlians would not even
IKlen lo their reprefentations, but imagining that the armv was
now approachi-;jg io furprize and kill them, fled with preci-
pitation into the wockIs, an^ left the mifiianaries quite alone
in the fetije,ment. In the fojlowlng days they recovered by
degrees fiom their fright and all rerurned to their dwellings.
November icth a new and fpacio^s chapel was confecrated,
but they built only afew<lwelUng-ho.ufes, moft of tlie Indians
being content: to fpend the winter in poor huts ilightly reared j
for they confidered themfclves liere as guells, and therefore
gave this place only the name of a night'sjodging, thai is
a year's refulence. Thus they fullered much from the y/et
and fnow, which was three feet deep.
They began the year 1787 very comfoitablv, \y\th. the pleaf^
ing hope, that they fhouid ccncliuie it on the Muikinyun'!.
Nor did they doubt of ipcnding it iu peace and tramjuiliity.
But they foon vj'cre thre.itciie(^v/ith a Horn) jjy th.e Indian
wations,
0^3 • Towards
21 S New Troubles. P. IIT.
Towards the clofe of the year 1786 the well-known Dela-
ware Captain Pipe fent a belt of vvampom to inform our
Indians, *' That as appearances among the Indian nations
" were very doubtful and a new war would probably break
" out, the believing Indians were not well fituated on the
*' Cayahaga, but as much as ever in danger of being furprifed
*' by the white people : that he therefore would place them
*' in Pettquotting, and order that country to be cleared for
•' them, where they might always live in peace and fecurity,
** That they fhould believe him to be fmcere and accept of
*' his offer." Our Indians, fearing to raife new enemies, did
not return the belt, and confequently by not giving a pofitive
tefufal, filently confented. Another melTage of the Dela-r
wares, fent at the in (ligation of an unfaithful baptized man,
called Luke, inviting them in prefling terms, to come to San-
dufky, they anfwered refolutely in the negative. In the year
1787 at a great council of the Indian tribes held at Sandulky,
It was refolved, that the war with the United States of America
fhould begin again with renewed vigor, and that if the Chrif-
tian Indians would not of their own accord give up the idea
of returning to the Mufkingum they fhould be obliged to do
it by force •, that the mifhonaries fliould not be taken prifon-^
ers, but killed, in order at once to put an end to the miflion.
When this account came to Pilgerruh, the mifhonaries com-
forted the congregation by reprefenting to them in the mofl
foothing terms, that though they might reafonably expe£t
fcveral heavy troubles, yet they might refl afTured, that their
firm and childlike confidence in God our Savior would not
be put to fhame. This and fimilar exhortation, frequently
given to the congregation in their daily meetings, had fo.
falutary an effeft, that the courfe of the congregation became
peaceful and edifying.
The mifhonaries confidered the above-mentioned account as
a warning, to ufe the utmoft precaution in the future leading
of their Indian congregation. In the fame month the Iro-*
quois fent a folemn cmbafTy to the warlike nations, andefpe^
cially to the Shawanofe, advifing them- to keep peace. It,
was
€h. XIIL Perplexity of ihe MiJJtenarieu 219
■was alfo reported that nine or ten tribes had, by the perfua-
fion of the Englifh Governor of Detroit, declared for peace,
and that they would immediately proceed to punifh fuch, as
ihould commence hoflilities. However Lieutenant-colonel
Harmar fent word to the miiTionaries, that our Indians lliould
not wait till their arrival on the MuLlcingum to receive the
500 bufliels of Indian corn, 100 blankets and other necef-
iaries, but might now fetch them from Fort Intofh. Gene-
ral Butler wrote alfo to Brother Zeilberger, that they miglit
for the prefent remain a.t tlie Cayahaga, but mentioned no
■reafon, not willing to enfcrull it to a letter. The favages
frequently repeated, their former dreadful threats, and there
was no doubt, but that tliey waited only for a convenient op-
portunity to put them into execution-
All thefe circuniiftances tended to diftrefs the Indian Bre-
thren. Their own inclination was fixed to return to the
Mufkingum, and this was alfo the wifli of the Brethren at
Bethlehem. The United States advifed them to ftay for the
prefent at the Cayahaga, and the favages on the contrary
would not fuffer them to remain there, but infifled on their
removal to fome other country. Though they did not know
how and whither the hand of the Lord would direcl their
courfe, they prepared boats aaid every thing elfe neceffary for
their removal, and were unanimoully refigned to the will of
God, to go to the firft place, to which He fliould point out
an open way. This diipofition of the Indian congregation
greatly comforted the nril3ionaries ; yet they were not a little
embarraffed, knowing that their people looked up to them
for advice, in order to come to a final determination. Ac-
cuftomed to venture their lives in the fervice of the Lord,
they were unconcerned as to their own fafety, and if that
alone had been the point in queflion, they would nor
iiave hefitated a moment to return to the Mufkingum. But
they durft not bring the congregation committed to their care
jnto fo dreadful and dangerous a fituation. They rather
thought it their duty, to facrifice every other confideration to
the welfare and fafety of their flock, and therefore, after
^4 mature
220 The Indians refolve to go towards Pettquotting. P. Il'L
mature deliberation, refolved to propofe to them, that they
fliould give up all thoughts of returning to the Mufkingum
for the prefeat, but at the fame time not remain on the
Cayahaga, but rather feek to find fome fpot between that river
and Pettquotting, w^here they might procure a peaceable and
fafe retreat. This propofal was folemnly accepted, firft by
the Indian afiiftants and then by the whole congregation.
Soon after this, the follov/ing melTagc arrived from a Delaware
Chief to Brother Zeifberger : " Grandfather ! having heard,
" that you propofe to live on the Mulkingum, I would advife
*' you, not to go thither this fpring. I cannot yet tell you
*' my reafon : nor can I fay, whether we fliall have war or
" peace, but fo much I can fay, that it is not yet time. Do
*' not think that I wifh to oppofe your preaching the word of
*' God to the Indians. I am glad, that you do this ; but I
** advife you for your good. Go not to the Muikingum.'^
This meffage tended to confirm the people in the above-men-
tioned refolution, which was undoubtedly the mod prudent
at that time j and in the beginning of April, fome Indian
Brethren fet out, with a view to feek a place for a new fettle-
ment, and found one much to their mind.
Meanwhile the Indian congregation of Pilgerruh celebrated
Lent and Eafter in a blefied manner. The public reading of
the hiftory of our Lord's paffion was attended with a remark <»
able impreflion on the hearts of all prcfent. The congrega-
tion could not fufficiently exprefs their defire to hear more of
it, and it appeared as if they now heard this great and glori-
ous word for the firft time.
April 19th, the Chriftian Indians clofed their refidenc^ at
Pilgerruh, by ofi"ering up folemn prayer and praifc. in their
chapels, which they had ufed but a fhort time. They thank-
ed the Lord for all the internal and external blefllngs He had
conferred upon them in this place, and then fet out in two
parties, one by land, led by Brother David Zeifberger, and
the other by water with Brother Edwards. The latter w^re
obliged to crofs over a confiderable part of Lake Erie. But
before they had left the Cayahaga creek, a dreadful ftorm
arofcj
Ch. XIII. Short Alode in a pleafant Cotmtry. 22*
aroie, the wind blowing from the lake. The waves beat with
fuch violence againlt the rocks defcribed above, that the earth
leemed to tremble with the found. The travellers thanked
God that they were yet in fafety in the creek, and being m
want of provifions, fpent the time in fifhing. One night
th^y fifhed with torches, and pierced above three hundred
large fifh of a good flavor, refcmbling pikes, and weighing;
from three to four pounds, part of which they roafled and ate,
and dried the reft for provifions on the voyage. April 24th,
the travellers by land, and the day following thofe who went
by water, arrived at the place fixed upon for their future
abode. It appeared like a fruitful orchard, feveral wild ap-
ple and plumb trees growing here and there. They had never
fettled upon fo good and fertile a fpot of ground. The
camp was formed about a league from the lake, which ia
thefe parts abounded with fifli. Wild potatoes, an article o£
food much efteemed by the Indians, grew here plentifully.
The Brethren rejoiced at the thoughts of eftablifliing a regular
fettlement in fo pleafant a country, efpecially as it was not
frequented by any of thofe favages who had hitherto proved
fuch troublefome neighbors.
But their joy was of fliort duration. April 27th a Dela-
ware Captain arrived in the camp, and informed them that
they fhould not remain in this place, but live with them at
Sanduiky, adding, that they fhould confider it as a matter
pofitively determined, and not firft deliberate upon it. He
added, as ufual, the moft folemn declarations of prote^lion
and fafety. The captain alTured them likewife, that the place
appointed for their habitation -was not in the vicinity of any
heathen towns, but ten miles diftant from the neareft. To
the miffionary, David Zeifbergcr, he had brought the follow-
ing particular meflage : " Hear, my friend ; you are my
«* grandfather. I am not ignorant of your having been for-
*' mally adopted by our chiefs as a member of our nation. No
" one fiiall hurt you, and you need not have any fcruples
** about coming to live at Sandufky." He then delivered a
firing of wampom. Difigreeable as this meflage was to our
Indians,
^22 Journey to Pcttquoiting, P. Ill,
Indians, and though they reprefented to the Captain the
malice, deceit and treachery of the Delaware Chiefs which
they had painfully experienced for thefe fix or feven years
paft, yet after many ferious confultations, they and the
miflionaries could not but refolve to fubmit to the will of the
Chiefs, left they fhould bring new troubles and perfecutions
upon the miffion. Their anf'.ver was therefore in the affirm-
ative. Brother Ze.ifberger anfwered likewife the particular
meflage fent to him to the fame effedl, yet, with this exprefs
condition, that all the other white Brethren fliould have the
fame privileges granted them, and his fuccelTor in office enjoy
the fame rights.
Nothing appeared in this affair fo dreadful to the miffion-
aries, as the profpect of being again fubjeft to heathen rule
and government. Yet they could not deny that it was more
■agreeable to their peculiar calling to live in the midft of thofe
heathen, to whom they were to preach the gofpel, and
therefore write, " We muft be fatisfied to live in the very neft
•' of Satan, for it appears indeed, as if every favage Indian
*' was poffefled by a number of evil fpirits, with whom we
** muft be at war."
In the beginning of May, they with great joy welcomed
two affiftants in the work of the miffion, fent by the congre-^
gation at Bethlehem, Michael Jung and John Weygand, and
foon after left a country fo pleafing in every refpecl with
great regret, proceeding partly by water on Lake Erie,
partly by land along its banks to Pettquotting, where they
encamped about a mile from the lake. Here they found that
the greateft part of the meffiige brought by the above^men^
tioned captain from the Delaware Chiefs was fallacious ; for
the place fixed upon for their refidence was not above two
miles from the villages of the favages. Our Indians there^
fore and the miffionaries refolved not to go any farther for
the prefent, left they ffiould be entangled in fome fnare, but
to fettle near Pettquotting, and even to maintain their fitua^-
tion in oppofition to the will of the Delav/are Chiefs. They
then fought and, found an uninhabited place fituated on a river
«a!lci!
Ch. XIIL New-Salem built. 22J
called alfo Huron, which empties itfelf into the lake at Pett-r
quotting, whither they all went in canoes on the nth of
May, raid before night afmall village of bark-huts was ere£i:ed*
Hence they fent deputies to the Chiefs, to inform them of
their refolution and their reafons for it, and obtained leave to
ftay at leaft one year in that place without moleftation. They
hoped alfo, that during that period, circumftances might
alter in their favor, and that they might perhaps be permit-
ted to continue there longer.
They therefore made plantations on the weft bank of
the river, and chofe the eaft, which was high land, for their
dwellings. This place was called New-Salem. Here they
celebrated Afcenfion-day and Whitfuntide in the ufual man-
ner, meeting in the open air, and on the fixth of June,
finifhed and confecrated their new chapel, which was larger
and better built than that at Pilgerruh. They indeed wanted
piore room, for a larger number of heathen Indians attended
their public worfhip here, than at the Cayahaga, and hardly a
day pafled without vifits fi-om ftrangers. June 9th the whole
Indian congregation held a love-feaft, for which flour had
been fent from Bethlehem. A letter to the believing Indians
from Bifiiop Johannes von Watteville was read to them on this
occafion, and heai-d with much emotion. He had held a
vifitation in all the fettlemcnts of the Brethren in North
America, but to his forrow found it impoflible to go to the
Indian congregation, and was then on his return to Europe.
On the fade day the congregation at New-Salem partook of
the Lord's Supper, rejoicing in God their Savior, whofe
gracious prefence comforted their hearts in an inexpreflible
degree.
Among thofe favages, who in 1787 became concerned for
the falvation of their fouls, was a noted profligate, who in
1781 had formed a plan againft the lives of the mifllonaries,
and often lain in ambufli to furprize them, but without fuc-
cefs. He was travelling, and came without defign to Pilgerruh,
where he heard the gofpel with great attention, and after-
wards expreflTed his ardent defire, to be delivered from the fer-
vice
224 Accciint of New-Saietit, ' P. IH^
Vice of fin ; nor would he leave the congregation, but giving
up his intended journey, ftaid with the believing Indians,
turned with his whole heart unto the Lord, and was baptized
at New-Salem, feme months after. A Huron Indian, who
had been invited by his people to be their Chief, refufed it,
came to New-Salem, and declared that he had been thefetwo
years feeking in vain for fomething better than worldly honor j
** Now," faid he, " I feek reft for my foul, and believe that
" I fhall find it here. I therefore defire to live with you, that
*' I alfo may enjoy the good which you poffefs, and of which
** you can bear vvitnefs." The Brethren gladly preached to
iiim Jefus and his great lore to poor fiiniers : but as he firlt
wifted to go to his heathen relations beyond Fort Detroit, to
take leave of them, he v/as told, that he could not obtain
leave to live at New-Salem, till after his return, as there had
been many inftances of perions, who, having received per-
miffion to live with the believers, would yet vifit their heathen
friends and relations, againft which our Lord himfelf cautions
us (Luke, ix. 62.), and had fuffered fo much harm in their
fouls, that they never returned. Hearing this, he refolved
to give up all idea of a vifit, fent word to his relations that
he had changed his mind, and remained faithfully attached
to the congregation, with whom his heart found that reft,
xvhich he had fo long fought for.
Many of the poor loft Iheep were found in this period ;
and the above-mentioned unfaithful Luke was of their num-
ber. He had been the principal prom.oter of all the troubles
occafioned to our Indians by the heathen Chiefs, and feemed
refolved to force them to remove to Sandufky, where he had
lived fince his removal from the congregation. When his wife
once came to Pilgerruh on a vifit, Brother Zeifberger afked
her, whether fhe and her huftjand lived happily and peacefully
together ? " No," faid flie, " we accufe each other by turns :
*' You are the caufe that v/e are feparted from the believers."
**You fee," replied the miffionary, ** that you are not in the
** right track ; for otherwife you- would enjoy reft and peace
^' in your hearts." He then e2;.horted tliem; to return, while
it
Ch. XIII. Account of New-Salem, ' 1%^
it was yet time, and not to wait till , all hopes of readmiffiou
were pad. She exprefled a great defire after it, but her
hufband would not confent. He even came in fpring to
New-Salem, and took great pains to raife apprehenfions in
the minds of our Indians, and make the prefent place of their
refidence fufpicious. However, his Infmuations were not
only difregarded, but the ferious exhortations of the miflion-
ary David Zcllberger, and all the Indian affiftants, who took
much trouble to convince him, had fo good an effeft, that
the poor man was ftruck with remorfe. He confefled his
dreadful offences againfl God and his children, begged
forgivenefs and readmifiion, and obtained his requeft, to tlie
great joy of the v/hole congregation 5 for all had frequently
offered up prayers for the falvation of this poor man and his
family, whofe apoflacy had contributed to bring diftrefs upon
them.
It was pleafing to obferve the increafe of the Indian affift-
ants in grace and knowledge of the truth. One day after a
fermon preached upon the words of our Savior (Mark, xi. 17.),
'* My houfejhall he called of all nations the houfe of prayer ^ but
*' ye have made it a den of thieves" Samuel obferved, that it
was ufeful to apply thefe words to our ovm hearts : " Our
" body," added he, " is a temple of God. Our Savior has
" wafhed us from fm in his own blood, and prepared our
*' hearts for his dwelling. Now we ought not to defile the
" temple of God, and to fuffer fin and its evil fruits, from
" v/hich our Savior has delivered us, to enter in, but
** always to remember, that we are not our own, but
'* the Lord's, with foul and body, and therefore to pre-
" ferve ourfelves undefiled."
The miffionaries rejoiced likewife at the profperlty of the
young people, born and educated in the congregation, many
of whom excelled the aged, in proving that they lived by
faith in the Son of God, and walked in conformity to the
precepts of the gofpel.
According to the accounts tranfmitted to the middle of the
year 1 787 the miffionaries were full of courage and confidence,
\ and
22(5 Account 6J New -^dem. I*, tit
and diligent in the work of God committed unto them. They
praifed the Loi'd for the proofs He gave them, that their
labors were not in vain j for the believing Indians had a real
enjoyment of the precious falvatlon, procured for us by our
Lord Jefus Chrift, which they on all occafions endeavored
to make known to their neighbors* Old and young appeated
chearful and contented.
The miffion had now flood forty-five years. From a regif-
ter of the congregation, dated in 1772, we learn, that from
the beginning of the miihon to that year, 720 Indians had
been added to the church of Chrifh by holy baptifm, moft of
whom departed this life rejoicing in God their Savior. I
xvould willingly add the number of thofe converted to the
Lord ilnce that period, but as the chUrch-books and other
writings of the miffionaries were burnt, when they were taken
prifoners on the Muflcingum in 1781, I cannot fpeak with
certainty. Suppofing even, that from 1772 to 1787 the
number of new converts was the fame, yet, confidering the
long {landing of the miflion, and the great pains and fuffer-
ings of the miffionaries, the flock colle6led was very fmalL
The reafon of this may be found partly in the peculiar cha-
rafter of the Indian nations, but chiefly in this, that the
miflronaries did not fo much endeavor to gather a large
number of baptized heathen, as to lead fouls to Chrift,
who fhould truly believe on and live unto him. This fmali
flock is however large enough to be a light of the Lord, fhln-
ing- unto many heathen nations, for the eternal falvation of
their immortal fouls.
I here leave the Indian congregation at New-Salcm. We
truft that God will afluredly lead them alfo in future with
fuch grace, wifdom and faithfulnefs, that they v/ill be able to
confefs with thanks and praife : He is ivojiderfid in counfel^
and excellent in lui^rking^ Ifa, xxviij. 29.
C 22- ]
APPENDIX.
IN the year 1787 an event took place, which feems to pro-
mife much for the future fervice of the miffion among
the Indians.
The Brethren in North America eftabUflaed a fociety called
The Society of the United Brethren for propagating the Gofpel
among the Heathen^ in imitation of the Society for the fur-
therance of the Gofpel eftablifhed by the Brethren in Eng-
land forty-fix years ago. This fociety confillsof all the elders
and minifters of the congregations of the United Brethren
in North America and many other members chofen at their
requeft and with the confent of the Society. They held
their firfl: meeting on the 21 ft of September 1787 at Beth-
lehem inPennfylvania, and February 27, I788,th2s fociety was
declared and conllituted a body politic and corporate by the
ftate of Pennfylvania. The following is an extrad of the ad :
STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA.
^ti AEi to incorporate the Society for propagating the Gofpel amon^
the Heathen, formed by Members of the Epifcopal Church of
the United Brethren or Unitas Fratrinn.
WHEREAS it has been reprefented to this Honfe by the
Reverend John Ettwein, one of the Bifiiops of the Church
called Unitas Fratrum or the United Brethren, and the
Reverend John Meder, Pafbor in ordinary of the faid Church
in the city of Philadelphia, That fince the year of our Lord
one thoufand feven hundred and forty, when the faid Church
began to make fettlements in America, the principal aim of
their members, coming over from Europe, was to carry the
glorious truths of the Gofpel to the Indians here ; that they
have without intermiflion continued their labors among the
Indians, and notwlthftanding the increafe of expences and
other difficulties, are refolved to purfue and fupport this
commendable work, and for this purpofe have formed a fo-
ciety for propagating the Gofpel among tlie Heathen, and
entered
22$ ^ppetfdiffi^
entered into certain rules of aflbciatlon (a copy v/liereftf
they have fubjoined to their petition) and prayed to incorpo*
rate tlie faid fociety :
And whereas the propagation of the Gofpel among th^
Indians of Americia is of great importance to the citizens of
this and other the United States, and may, by the blefling of
God, be conducive to the peace and fecurity of the inhabit-
ants and fettlers of our frontiers ; and by Hving examples of
the miflionaries and the converts, the favages may be induced
to turn their minds to the Chriftian religion, induftry, and
fecial life with the citizens of the United States :
And whereas this Houfe is difpofed to exercife the powers
veiled in the Legiflature of the Commonwealth, for the en*
couragement of all pious' and charitable purpofes :
Be it therefore enadlcd, &c. &c. Here follows a cir*
cumftantial declaration, that by the laws of the State the
faid fociety is a corporation, entitled to all rights, privileges,
&:c. enjoyed by other bodies corporate in the State of Penn-
fylvania-
As the views of the fociety are befl underflood by their
ftatutes, they are here infertcd at length :
5 TATED RULES
Of the Society cfthe Ufiited Breihreny for propagating the Gofpel
among the Heathen^
"WHEREAS we the fubfcrlbers are fully convinced of the
Chriftian Zealand godly Concern, wherewith the evangelical
Church, known by the name of the Unitas Fratrum or
United Brethren, has at all times endeavored to fpread
the faving knowledge of Jefus Chrlft, and to carry the fame
even to the remoteft heathen nations ; for which purpofe
alfo in this part of the world a mifiion among feveral Indian
nations was begun by faid Church, and with bleffing .and
good fuccefs continued near fifty years : And as we ourfelves
are members of faid Church, which has the falvatlon of men
£6 near at heart, we cannot but moft ardently wifh to further
this
Appeficliic.' 229
this great work of God, the converfion of the Heatlien, by
:ill juft and poffibTe means.
Therefore we have refolved, in the name of God, to form
ourfelves into a Society by the name of *' A Soaety of the
'' United Brethren for propagaiingthe Gofpel among the Heathen .''
Anddo herewiih una nimpufly agree to the following articles,
as the dated rules of this Society :
;- ARTICLE I.
This Society being formed of members of the Brethren's
Church, fliall have its fixed feat at Bethlehem, in Northampton
county, in the State of Pennfylvania, where the board of di-
rectors will meet and the ufual general meetings fhall be held.
ARTICLE II.
\. All bifhops, prefbyters, and deacons of the Brethren's
Church, and others in ofBce in the Brethren's congregations^
are, by virtue of their office and character, members of this
Society. Others may, upon their defire, or the recom-
mendation of others, be alio received as members, with
the confent of the Society.
ARTICLE III.
\ Only fuch members of the Society who are alfo members
; ©f the Brethren's Cliurch, have feat and vote in the Society,
and are confidered as a£lual members.
Befides fuch, the Society may receive as honorary mem-
bers, perfons of other churches and denominations, who are
friends and well-wifhers -to the furtherance of the Gofpel
among the Keatlien j who may be admitted to the general
meetings of the Society, but have no vote in their deliberations,
ARTICLE IV.
As the true and only defign of the Society is, to aflift fuch
miflionaries and their affiftants, who from time to time are
fent to the Heathen by the direftors of the Brethren's mif-
fionsj we wil*i not confine our allifbnce to mere fLated chax
titles and contributions, but it Ihall be a pleafure to us to
further thisblefied work by all poffibls means.
^ Part HI. R ARTICLE
I
230 Afpenditi:
ARTICLE V.
We therefore hold ourfelves in duty bound to fupport thtf
miffions of the Brethren by a free contribution, and taking
an efficient part as often as it is found neceffary.
ARTICLE vr.
To be conftant direftors of our Society, we chufe, confti-'
tute, and appoint thofe Brethren, who are appointed to be
dire£lors of the Brethren's congregations in North America,
and their fucceffors in office, together with three Other aflift-
ants, to be chofen by the Society from the number of the
a£lual members.
ARTICLE Vir.
The three affiilant dire£lors fhall annually be chofen oi*'
confirmed by a majority of votes, in the appointed general
meeting of the Society.
ARTICLE Vlll.
In the fame general meeting alfo the prefident of the Society
•fTiaii annually be chofen in like manner, or confirmed by a ma-
jority of votes, fo that the fame be ?;lways one of the afore^
faid directors.
ARTICLE IX.
The directors of the Society fnall lake care that a true
and regular account of the fituation and progrefg of the
miffions be from time to time communicated to the members
of the Society. And the agents for the miffions of the
United Brethren are to correfpond with the miffionaries and
their affiftants, and to prorids them wish whatever the di-
re6tors find neceffary,
«ARTICLE X.
One of the appointed agents is always to officiate as trea^
furef and book-keeper of the Society, and has every year to
give a regular and true account to the Society of all receipts
and difburfements,
^ ARTICLE
Appendix, , ' 23 J
ARTICLE XL
The dire£lors fhalls at leaft once every year, appoint a
general meeting of tlie Society : But the prefidenc, with four'
directors, may, if the concerns of the Society require it, call
an extraordinary meeting!
ARTICLE Xir.
*rhe directors are likewife empowered, upon a^^ emer^*
gency, to borro^.v in the name of the Society any fum of
money not exceeding five hundred dollars, from one gene=
ral meeting to. another, and to, expend it for the ufe and bene-
fit of the mifiions, whereof they are to give .an account Xq>
the Society in the next foliovvdng general meetings
ARTtCLE XllL
All donations and bequefts to the Society, and all its pof^
leflions, efFe£ls, and property, whatfoever and wherefoever,
fhall, at all times_ and- for ever, be and remain appropriated,
fecured, made ufe of, and expended, to no other ufe but
. only the advantage and the furtherance of the mifiions among
the Heathen.
And every member of the Society renounces here-witb.
cxprefsly, all and every claim to the property of the Society,
and promifes that in cafe any thing of faid property fiiall
be intruded to his hands, or putXipori his name in trufi, he
will in no rhanner abufe fuch confidence, nor make foJ- hin'.>
felf or his- heirs any claim or pretenuon to property, thus in-
trufl:ed unto him by the Society : And thathe^will att and do
with it agreeably to the difpofal of the Society by the clirefl-
ors, and will, at all times ar\d in all cufesj faithfully and
j)un£l;ually obferve their orders,
ARTICLE XIv,
And as we have hereby no other view or aim but the fur-
therance and propagation of the knowledge of Jefus Chrift
&mong the poor benighted Heathen, and efteem it a grace to •
fupport that praife-worthy work by our fmail fervices, beinj^
fconftrained to it by the \o-^t of Chrilt— allthe dlreccora, af-
2^t Appendix.
fiftants, and officers, of the Society, renounce for ever all de-
mands and claims for fabrics or rewards for their fervices,
and proniife to do all they do for the benefit of the Society,
gratis.
ARTICLE XV.
The Society will be ever ready and willing to provide, in
a fatherly manner, the neceffaries of life for the miflionaries
and their afliftants, as alfo for their widows and children.
Therefore the mifiionaries and their afliftants fliall, in con-
formity to the rules of the Brethren, fet afide all temporal
views and intereftfe, and their fole and only care and enclea-
vour fliall be, to preach the Gofpel to the Heathen, to in-
flruft them faithfully in the dodrine of Jefus and his apo-
flles, and by |^eir word and example to encourage them
to virtue and induftry.
ARTICLE XVI.
If one or more perfons arc propofed for new members of
the Society, the dire£lors fhall firft confider, whether fuch
perfon or perfons can be ufeful to the Society in the execu-
tion of their aforefaid defigns: And when the propofed per-
fons are approved by a majority of the members prefent, they
arc then admitted as members of this Society.
ARTICLE XVII.
But if negative votes are found,' the directors fliali inform
themfelves of the reafon of the objeftions ; and if they can be
removed to the fatisfa£lion of the obje6lors, fuch perfon or
perfons may be propofed again, and be received as members,
if no new objeQion is made by the voters.
ARTICLE XVIII.
As every member is at liberty to withdraw from the Soci-
ety, the Society alfo referves the liberty to exckide any mem-
ber when it is found neceflary ; but this fliall not be done
without mature confideration of the diredors, and appro-
bation of two thirds of the general meeting, and fuch an
excluded
Appendix, 232
excluded perfon can In no manner be re-admltted, but fy
a new eledlion.
ARTICLE XIX.
When new members are received, the rules of the Society
are to be read to, and fubfcribed by them.
ARTICLE XX.
The Society may in future agree upon new articles and
rules, if circumftances require it ; fo that the fame be not
contrary to thefe prefent articles and the well-being of the
Society.
ARTICLE XXI.
Thefe articles, hereby agreed upon and accepted, can only
after moft mature deliberation, be altered ; and if any al-
teration is made, it fliall be in no wife againft the conftitu-
tion of the Brethren's Church, and the inflru£lion for thofe
Brethren and Sifters who ferve tiae Gofpel among the
Heathen* And that each fuch intended alteration may be
maturely examined by the dire£lors and every voting mem-
ber, it fliall be firit propofed in a general meeting, and com-
municated to fuch as were abfent, and in the next follow-
ing general meeting it fhrJl be confidered, and brought to a
determination.
J^ethkheniy Sept. 21/?, 1787.
R3
I N D E X.
f^* The Roman Numerals refer to the PaRTj andtke Flg'-trej
» to the Page.
' jJBRAHAM, an affiftant at Gnadenhuetten, made Captain of the Mahikans,
• 11.140. Sides with Tadeufkund, and leaves the place, 151. His death, 203.
Abraham, an afliiir.nt ac Friedenshuetten, anfwer to an heathen, III. 13. Goes
to Goichgolchuen!:, 28. Encourages the newly awakened, 45. Follows the
miffion.Ties to Detroit, J90.
Aci of Ajjcmbly at New York againft the miffionaries, II. 63.
Addrejt of the Chriftian Indians to the governor of Pennfylvania, II. 207. Ad-
drefs of thanks, 231. Zeiiherger's to the Cajugu council, III. 7. To the
council at Onondago, 9. Of the deputies from Gofchachguenk to the be-
lievers, no.
Adoption of the Brethren into the Monfy tribe. III, 50,
Adultery, how confidered, L 57.
Agriculture, I. 6S, &c.
Allemaefigel, colonies of Brethren there, II. 180,
AH'meiui, a Chief at Gofchgofchuenk, III. 23. His meflage to the Senneka
Chief, 29. Prote£ts the miflionaries, 33. MeiTage to the council at Zo-
nefhio, 35. Called Solomon in bapcum, 51. His wife baptized, 57.
AUer. foxt, built upon the fcite of Old Gnadenhuetten, II. 230. The Indians
fetch corn from thence, III. 2.
Atnboy, barracks at, the Indian congregation remain there for a time, IT,
221.
America, North, peopled, I. i.
Ar.crom, Major, his kindnefs to the Chriftjan Indians, III. 206.
Ar-scdotes chara^Acriftic, of Indian converts, 11. 76. Of a diffolute Indian woman*
109. Of Bi-Oicp Cammerhof, 126. Of fome vifitors, 129. Of an Indian trom
the north-weft country, 163. Of a young Ii'f^ian, 1S8. Of a loft child, 195,
Of a yo'jng Nantikok, 198, Told as a hint t the miffionaries, III. ii. Of
a Nant.kok Chief, 41. Of an Indian rum-trader. 54. Of a vali nt war-
rior, 79. Of a Mahikan father, 106, v Of an Indian lofing his pauy in
bunting, 107. Of an Indian from the river Illinois, in. Ot an o;d man
who efcaped from the favages, 132. Of a'l Indian froni the Miffifippi, 141.
From the river Wabafch, 142. Of a Shawanofe, ib. Of a young Indian
wcman, 159. Of a debtor, 207. Of an Huron Indian, 224,
R4 Antlers^
INDEX.
Anders, Gottlieb, and his wife and daughter, mur«iered on the Mahony, II. 166.
Anna Cairitas, firft-fruits of the Shdwanofe, JI. 112.
Avtes, Henry, II. 90.
Anthony, an alTiftanf, accompanies Ztifbsiger to Gofchgofchuerk, III, 20. Set-
tles there, 28. Diligent in attending vifitorS; 45. His laft iflnef;, 2nd happy
deparirre, 95.
Aquan:--fchioi:i name given bv the Iroquois to tiieir nation, I. 2,
A'Tiiv'^ck woman a rives at BcthlehEm, II. 116.
Ariihmetk of the Indians, I. 29.
Ajking, Mr. his kind care or the tr.>v;lling congregation. III. 207.
AJiftams appointed at Shekomeko, II.,29. Thtir C-rvrti oiinug a time of per-
fecuti 1., 70. Difcoarf;j, 77, 78. 95. 118. 152. Exoted t.. pew zeal <.nd
watchfuln-ls, 151. Of great -^U at Njin, i82. Anew enlivened, 111. 4,
Oppt^ie vhc Tum-trBde, i&. Difcourfr-s, 45. 67. 84.. Fe.'-recuted at Gekele-
mukpe^hucirik, 70. Conference o" affili^ants regulated, 81. Their courjge
in pteaihiog the Go/pel, toi. Their fucccfs. 129, Labors at Lichtenan,
141: Adcfefs to the Huron?, 152. Den^and the releafe of the csptvr mif-
Jionaries, 16 ■. Accompany ' them to Detroit, 164. Addrefs to the Hu'ori
Hai.-kins, lii. 17!. Be^ia agairr their conferences, 198. Converfa;ion8
wih the heaLhen, Z05. Infreafe in jj-ace and knowhdge-, 225.
Aug-pu!, Chief of Menioldgomekab, II. 117. S-duce-j by Tadeufkund, 11.
xJiS'. -Re^ients, and de^)arts this life haj-pily at Wajomick, 1.97.
BADGER. I. 85.
Baftifm, hrfl. at Oly, of three Indians, II. 20. At Shekomeko, 30. Of ftveral
Indians at B Li.itr.em, during the war, iSo Of two ol tbe Mahon) mur»
dererJ, 183. Fjrft baprifm at Machwihiiufing, 2c6. At Friedenshuetten,
III. 3. At Tfchs. hfchequannink. 3S At Ljwunakhanuek, 50. Of the
firft-fruits of th; Chcrokces, 9c. Of Pakank^'s fon, 107. Of John,
nephew of the Chief Netawatwees, 112. F'irft haptifm at Gnadenhucuenj
201.
Bean, I. 80.
Bea-ver, I. 81.
Bea-ver Creek, III. 56.
Beckmai, j;aT;ice ia Rcinbeck, f.'camines and defends the mifiionaries, II. 61.
Berries,!, e?,. Sec.
£^/on-defcribed, I. 77.
Bethel, on the Swatara, a colony of the Brethren, 11. 180.
Bethlehemh\^\\i, II. 16. The congregation there receives the perfecuted Indiana
of Shekomeko, 82. Procures a fctt]|en-ent for item, 164. P.ef Ives not to
fly during the Inciian war, 165. Rtce:vcs the fugitive Indians from New
Gnadenhuetten, 168. Is in a dangtrrous lituation 172. Cor.fidence placed
in them by government, 178. The aovL.nor of Pennfylvania vifiis Beth-
lehem, i8i. Some incendiaries atempt to mm the town. 217. The
Indian congregation pafles thrcuj^h Bethlehem on iis wsy to Machwihi-
iufing, 232. A ccu.)fprpnce held -tii,ere conceining the Indian M iTicn, 111.
64. Conferences held by Brother J. F. Reichel with the miffionaries at Beth,
lehem, 148. Sympathy of that congregation with the perfccuted Indian
congregation', 194. Their charitable afliftance, 212.
Bexold, Gottlieb, mifiionary, II. jij. •
Bier.er, a m flionary, II. 4.
Big Jacob, called P^iui in baptifm, II. 125.
B:g-kniz'£s, name given by the Indians to the white people, I. 18.
Birds,!. ^.
Bird rf the Great Spirit^ I- 93-
^'ft'^ffi Divid, a millionarv, II. 75. 112,
Blue-bird, I. 93.
B<iar, wild, I. 83.
Bdehler^
INDEX;
JSoehhr, Pctcr, ordained minlfter of the colony in Georgia, II. 4. Succeeds
Spange-iberg, 199.
Bojs, education of, I. 63.
Brainatd, miilionaty, II. 1 14,
Breeding of cattle, I. 74.
Y>ruadb!ad, Colonel, his kindnefs to the miflionaries, III. 146.
£r««, miffionary, II. 54. Appointed to care for Patchgaigoch, &C. 115. Hisr
deceafe, 116.
Buminger, Ahrzhim, fucceeds Bruce at Patchgatgoch, &-c. II. 116. His en-
colli aging exai-nple, 129.
^Kfffwfr, Gottlieb, miTi'inary, II. 18. Goes to Shekomeko, 19. Is perfecuted,
58. His addrefs to the governor of New York, 61. His faithfulnefs in fol-
lowing the ftrayed, 64. Lalt illnefs and deceafe, 68.
Buffalo's, I. 79.
Eurnt-nffering Az^QuhzA, I. 41,
Burial^ lolcmn, of the rminered Brethren and Sifters on the Mahony, II. 169.
Of the I.idian Brethren and Sifters in the Potters-field, at Philadelphia, zz%.,
Burying.places of the Indians, I. 119^
Butler, general Richard, III. Z16.
CALABASH, ufed by the Indian phyficians, 1. iir.
Cammeihof. Frederick, arrives in North America, II. 82. Goes to Shomokin,
106. To Onondago, 120. His much-lamented deceafe, 126.
Canoes.,1. 32. 10 1.
Cajugu, one of the Six Nations, I. 2. Vifited by the miflionaries, II. 121. 142.
Come to Friedenshuetten, HI. 4.
Cajugu Chief, plenipotentiary of ttie Iroquois, III. j* Propofes to lemove the
Chiiftian Indians to the Cajugu Lake, 6,
Captains, Indian, I. 131, 142.
Cittabaivs, Indians, I. 3.
C-J?, mountain, I. S3.
Cayahaga river, or Great River, the Indian congregation forms a fettlement
upon it. III. 211. ,
Chaktaiuas Indians, I. 2. Territory, 3.
Cherokees, Indians, I. 2. Territory, 3. Embaffy to the Delawares, 122. Wats
with the Dela-.vares, 124. King of the Cherokees fo called, lil. 27. Firfl
fruits baptized, 90.
Chiefs, Indian manner of appointing them, I. 130. Ceremonies at their death,
?2Z.
Chikafaws Indians, I. 2. Territory, 4.
Children, Indian, birth and education, I. 61. Greatly loved by their parents, 60,
Baptized Indian children educated at Bethlehem, II. 76. 85. Thirteen bap-
tized, 1 14. Regulations concfrning them, 131. They fmg in different
languagef, 182, Pleafing courfe at Nain, 194. Happy departure of fonie,
199, 200. Reminded of the uncertainty of life. III. joi. Great awakening
among them, 130.
Chippeioays Indians, I. a. Territory, 3. Numbers, 129. Join the Huron
Half-king, III. 127. Refufe to mokft the Chriftian Indians, 150. Agree to
receive them, 190. Vifit New Gnadenhuetten, 193. Defcription of them ik.
Begin to complain, 201. Empty compliment to the Chriftian Indians, 207.
Vifit Pilgerruh, 213.
Chriftian Renatus, account of, H. iii.
thnftianjbrunn, II. 152.
Chrifcina, an Indian, murdered at Gnadenhuetten, III. 180.
Clemlinefs, not much atiended to by the heathen Indians, I. 54,
Climate of North America, I. 9,
Coatiji quadruped, I, 85.
Colibri, a bird, I. 94,
Con^re[s
INDEX.
C'flT^^f/j at Philadelphia, fends a meffage to the Chrifllan Indians, III. i|j;
Oi-oers the diftiidl of the Indran congregations on the Mufkingum (o be re
ferved for them, 204. Provides ths Chri/tian Indians with corn, &c, aii,
Afiures the miffionaries of fupport, 2-6.
Connor, Richard, and family, join the Brethren, III. 104.^ Arrives at Detroit,
190, Remains at New Gnadenhuetten, 206.
Corrficck, Chief oi the Shawanofe, vifus Gnadenhuetten, III. 113.
Coawc;/, Indian, I. 130. AtOnondago, II. 121. Confiders the caufe of the decreafe
of the Indian tribes, 3155. Confirms the favorable anfwer of the Cajugu Chief,
III. lO. A; Gofchgofchuenki beg for a refident mifiiunary, 25. At Gekele-
mukpechuenk, grant land to the Chriftian Indians, 73. Refolve to change
their manner of living, 87. Debate vpon the adrniflion of another miffionary,
91. Make an a£l in favor of the Gofpel, xoz.
Cflin/i'//o''i, Indian, I. 130.
'Coujins, a name given to Subordinate tribes, L 140.
^01/^M/j/ with the Iroquois made, II 38. Renewed, 79. 1 18. Between Schmkk
and the §hawanofe Chief, III. 113.
Crabsy\. 98.
Cranei, 1. 90.
'Xlreek Indians, I. ,2. Territory, 3. Upper, Middle, Lower Creeks, 3. Firft at-^
tempt to eftablifli a fchool among ihem, II. 3.
Ci-cghan, colonel, exhorts Pakanke not to oppole the miffion, III. 58. His kici
inter:creBce in behalf of a miffionar^', 60.
|7«-o-aa;', a beaft of'prey, I. S2.
(^ure o/Dijeafeif I. I07, &c.
DANCE, common dancf, I. 104. Calumet dance, 10;. War dance, ii^
Sacrificial, ic6. Not atrended by the Chriftian Indians, III. 209.
jOavies, James, a Chief, is converted, Hi, 38.
X>eatb Sung, I. 150. Sung over the niilTionaries, III. 155.
f)eceafe, Buettncr's, II. 69. Oi feveial valuable affiftan's, 93. Of Jephthah, an
Indian of rank, 157. Of Michael, an aged Indian, 189. Of Abraham, at
"Vv'aiomick, 9,03. Daniel, atNain, 198. Abigail, at Nain, 200. Of fifty-
fix In(!ians, by occafion of the fmall-pox in the barracks at Philadelphia, 227.
Of feveral Indian Brethren on their journey to Schoenbrunn, III. 79. Un-
timely death of an unbaptized man, 8S. Of An'hony, 93. Of John Pa-
•pujihank and Jo.liua, 108. Of fevera! believers, 143. Of Martha, at Litizj
198. Of Tho.mas, at'Filgerruh, SI3.
Decci-VLi-i defcribed, I. 46.
Decr^ I. 78. Moofe deer, 79.
Pdamattcnoos, their embaffy of peace, III. 16. Give a grant, enfuring to tke
Chnflian Indians their land on the Mulkingum, 103.
J):liiu3re nation, its trib;s, I. 2.' I'erritory, 3, Vvars with the Cherokees,
124, 128. With the Iroquois, ;b. Appointed to be the woman, 125. Po-
litical confllttition, 130. Alliances, 136. Firft fruits baptized, II, 73. Vifit
Jriedenshuetten, III. jS- Dtiawares iniiabit Schoenbrunn, 8g. Called
Shwonnaks, for keeping peace, 95. Dangerous fiiuation of the Delawares in
the war, 115. Firm in declaring for peace, 117. Return the \v<ir-belt, 122.
At length take up arms, and join the Hurons, 128. Return to peaceful
meafures, 128. Political divifions among tliem, 136. Perfecuf the Chriftian
Indians, 150. Their head Chiefs endeavour to iniligate the governor of Fort
Uetr.'it ayainft them, 172. Two tribes reproach the Wolf-tribe, 197, A
Chief's anfwer to them, Ji5. Send an alarming meffage to Pilgerruh, 2j8.
A Delaware captain ordt:rs the Chriftian Indians to quit their place of
abgde, 221.
Detroit Fort, governor of, led by the enemies to fufpedt the mifiionaries,
IJI. 150. His meffage to the Delawajes and Hurons, 164. Infifts uporj
the pctfervatioft of peace, sjq.
INDEX.
X^ljiafei among tlie Indians, I, 107, &c.
pijpcrfed Chnftian Indians return, III. 190. Many refide among tLe Twlch-
twe s 194. Deterred by various lying reports fiom returning, 195. Account
of them, 2 (4.
Differ lion oi the Indian congregations, III. 188.
i)ni:Jlon of time, I. 31.
Z).^.,I. 74.
Dreams, Indian notion of, I. 43.
Drejs, Inoi^n, defcribed, I. 48. Of the men, 4S. Of the women, 51.
X>iicki, wild, I. 92.
Duncan, Mr. afiiUs the Chriftian Indians, III. 211.
Dunmcre, Lord, governor of Virginia, marches againft the Indians, III. 97,
D'uquejne Fort, burnt by the French, Il^Jigo, '
Diueliings, Indian, defcribed^ I, 52.
EAGLES, I. 89, Sec.
$.berhard, mifl'ionary, refidfs at Pachgatgcch, II. 18 T.
i^chpalaiochund, a D:;la-.vare Chief, hears the Gofpel with conviftion, III, SOj
■ Is called Ptter in baptifm, 100.
Edivard, William, niiilionary, III. 115. 125. Appointed miflionary atSchoen-
brunn, 137. Rff'ufes to fare better than his Brethren, 155. Led to San-
duiky, 161. To Detroit, 164. His fecond journey to Detroit, 774 Is lamfi4
by the way, 185. Goes to Pittiburg, 203. Settled at Pilgen'uh, 215,
m.', 1. 79.
'gmbajj'y oi the Nantikoks and Shavicanofe to Gnadenhuetten, II. 133. Second
• eriibaiTy, 143. Sent by the governor of Pennfylvania to the Delawarfs, 178,
Of the head-Chief of the Delawares to the Cherokees, III. 90. Propofed
embaffy to the king ctf England to determine which is the befl- religion, a^^
From Gofchachguenk to Schoenbrunn, 110.
Emetics recommended by the Indian preachers for fpiritual cleaniing, I. 37^
III. 70.
Emigrants, followers of Schwenkfeldt, go to North America, II, 1. Eirii-
grants at Wajomick, vifited by Mack, 153. ' By Grube and Rundt, 154.
Emigration of the Brethren from Georgia, 11. 5. Of the Chriftian Indians from
- Shekomeko, 83. From Pachgatgoch, 84. From Gnadenhuetten to V/a-
jomick,i5i. From Menioiagomekah to Gnadenhuetfen, ici. FromGnaden-
huetten to Bethlehem, 168. From Wechquetank, 212. From Nain, 215,
From Gofchgoi'chuenk to Lawunakhanaek, III. 44, From Lawunakhannek
to Languntoutenuenk, ^6. From Friedenshuettcn, &c. to Schoenbrunn, 77,
From Friidensftadt to the Mufkingum, 89. From Schoenbrunn, 120. From
Lichtenau, 138. From Gnadenhuetten, Salem, and Schoenbiunn, i6\. From
New Gnadenmietfen, 206. From Pilgerruh to Pcttquotting, 220.
Efty, commillary, II. 221. His attention to the Chriftian Indians, 233,
Erie, Lake, defcribed, I. 5. CrofTed hy the Chriitian Indians, III, 208. Rocks
oa its ccaft, 210, 221.
EJcap: Rauch's efcape ^mong the favages, II. 12. Cammerhof's efcape
' fron a favage, 126. Zeiiberger's, &c. efcape !rom a rum-trader, 142. Grube'9
efcape from the Shawanofe, 148. Efcape of the l^rethren at Shomokin, 164.
. Of fome Brethren and Sifters from the murderers on the-Mahony, 166. Of
the congregation at " Gnadenhuet:en, 167. Spangenberg's efcape from an
enraged inn-keeper, 170. Efcape of the Indian Sifters at Bethlehem, 174.
Of the inhabitants or" Nain an I Wechquetank, 230. ©f the Indian con-
gregation in the barracks at Philadelphia, 224. Rothe's efcape at Frieden-
iladt, IJI. S8. Schmlck's efcape a': Gna .cnhuetten, io3, Heckenwaelder's
at Lithtenau, 115. ' Ot Indian Sifters from the Hurons, 122. Of an old
rnan from the favages, 132. Of Bi other Gr^be on a journey, 146. Of tw©
yuuth; frOi-n the mul'vierers at Gnadenhuetten, i8o, Of the Chrjihan Indians
INDEX.
at Schoenbrunn, iSi. Of an Indian from wolves, 203. Of Brother Stnfe-
man on a journey, ib.
Ettxcun, John, miirir)nary, goes to Fiiedenshue'ten, III. 2S. Condufls t^e
Indian congregation to Schoenbruiin, 77. Preaciies to the white people. -8,
Accompanies fome deputies from Schoenbrunn to Gektlemukpechucnk, 81,
Returns to Bethlehem, ib.
FJBRTCIUS, Chriftian, a ftudent, his progrefs in the Delaware language, II.
154.. He is murdered on Lh- Mahon;, 166.
Famine, at Sandufky, III. 163. 170. At New Gnadenhuetten, relieved in an
extraordinary manner, igg.
Fanatics, feit of, who dennaryl the extirpation of the Indian tribes, II. 172. Re-
vive thfir doflrines, 207, Incenfed agamfl: the governor of Pittfburg,
III. 176.
Fejfif, facrificial, I. 40. Ice. Sea S.3Crifices.
Fir wnods rieftroved by fi.e, I. 55. Silver-fir, III. 20.
Fire, conftantly kept up in the Indian huts, I. 55. Wood fires, ib,
Fifoes, I. 96, &c.
Fijhing, Indian manner of, defcribed, I. 94. III. 221.
Foid of the Indians, T. 65. 67.
Fox, Mr. commillary, his generous behavior towards the Chriflian Indians, II,
220. Procures a grant in their favor, 230,
Fwcfi-, I. S3.
Frederic, ChztX^i, goes with David Zeifberger to Onondago, II. 155.
Jrfj, Henry, II. 147,
FTiedenshueitcn, tear Bethi«!iem, built, II. 84.
. Friedeiishueifen, on the Sufquehannah, built, III. I. Pleafing internal ftate, 3.
Great nurnbers of Indians vifit f rieden?huetten, 4. 11. Inconvenience at-
tending vifus, 15. Church built, 18. Diftuibcd by rumors, 25. Peaceful
c'ourfe, 39, Vifited by Chiefs, 40. The irihabiian:s receive a doubtful mef-
fage, 63. Vifited by the Breth:en Gregor ai.d Lortz, 63. Foifaken, 77.
Fr'udtmfictdt, buiit, III. 57. Pleafing courfe of the congregation, 6 ! . The inha-
bitants increafe in grace, ib. In number, 69. Surroanded by troops of favages,
vho commrt great outrages, and threaten murdei, 7 f , Build a chapel, ib, A/k
jsotection, which is refufed by\he council at Kafkafkunk, 73. The emigiated
congregations arrive there from Friedensftadt. and T(chechfchequannick, 80.
Conferences held, ib. Its fituation becoracs alarming, S7. The inhabitants
obliged to quit the place, 89.
Friedensthal, 11. ly^,
Fmeiich, Chriflian, preaches the Gofpel to the Delawares, II. 17. Is fent to the
sjegroes in New York, loi. Vifits ihe negroes in the Jerfe)S, 14S. Vifits a
condemned criminal, 149.
F'^gs, I. 89. Bull.frog, ti.
Frah, extraordinary, at iianduficy, III. 170. Over the whole country, 199*
Ftigiti'ves, from all parts repair to Bethlehem, II. 175. *
Funerali, I. 119.
Fundtuie, Indian, I. 51. 54,
GACEPJS, Indians, their embafly of peace. III. 16.
Gamhling, 1. 106,
Cambold vifits the Chriflian Indians at Amboy, H. 221.
Ganajfsteko, fpeaker of the council at Onondago, II. 122.
Caticftiifyer, Leonhard, murdered on the Mahony, II. 166.
Ceefe, wild, I. 90.
Cekelemui-,
INDEX.
CeXelemulipschuerik, a Dehware town, III. 52. Chief and council's melBge
to Pakanke, ^8, 'I'heir kind reception of tiie m.irii;nariLS, 69. 73.
Gekelsrnuk.,:riiaen!-c viGt-d by the Chridi.in Indians, 86. Ttan.aftions
ill the counL-il in favor of the G>jfpel, 102. G.keieinukpschuenk lorfaksD,
104.
Ccr.ap.tind, a Chief from Gofch|joicijuenk, joiris the bdievers, and is baptized,
III. 6a.
Gi.ograt.hy, as known by the ladianr, I. 30.
Georgjo, b^jiiinlng of ihf miirion there, II. 2. Unexpe£led chsck, 5.
Gihjon, colonel, invies ihe miffion-irics and their congrec.acion-^ ro Fort Law-
rence, III. 137. Kindnefs to the miffionaries, 146. Si.nds meTe'-.g^s t»
appnfe the Ch;iftiat> Indians of the approach of the aiurde:ers, ijo.
Ghh, education of, I. 56. 62.
Glikkikan, a Captain, and fpeaker of the Delaware Chief, at Kalkaflcunk, hears
the Gofpel, III. 46. G»es to meet the Indian congregation, 50. Retires to
Friedemftadt, 57. Is baptized, and called Ifaac, 6a. His declaration lO an
heathen, 75. Speeches to the council, 91. Acconnpanies Zeiib rg^r to ths
Shdwar.ole, 92, His fprech to the Huron warriors, 123. Converfatio.iS
With his heathen acquaintaricc, 141. Taken prifoner by the Hurons, Ijg»
Liberated, 160. Murdered a: Gnadenhuetten, 180.
Giiadcnbueiten, on the Mahony, built, II. 84. Inconvenicncies attending the
firft regulation;, 85. Defcription of the fettisment, 87. Externa! fupport
( f the inhabitants, 104. Th=y cncreafs, 117. Ernbafiics to Gnadenhuetten,
133.143, The hurt done by them, 145. The believin'g Indians from Me-
niolagomekah move thither, j^i. The fettlement removed to the north fide
of the river Lecha, 152.
Cnadenbiiet'e/ty New, on the river Lecha; externaT troubles, II. i!r7. Some of
the inhab.ianis fly into the woods on the approach ot the Fvench Indian?,
.165. Mfflengers artive there from Wijomik, ib. Deliverance of the
Inoiun E-cthr^n, 167. The fettlerr,ent burnt by the favajes, 171.
Cna^erhueiten, on the !VI"fkiiigum, bulk, III. 82. Vifited by the he.ithen, 85,
Inhabited chiefly by Mah.kans, 89. Ch 3pe! conf:;crated, 93. Troubles during
the war, 96, Pleafing courfe, 07. Internal profperity, external troubles,
1^3. Keception of tha e^Tiigrants from" Schoenbrunn, izo. Inhabitants
much difturbed by warriors, 126 Suddenly alarmed, 128. Infefted by free-
booter;, and foifaken, 133. Again inbaliited, 237. F:ea(ing courfe, 1 39.
The Huron <jia-riors and Indian deputies me't there, 151. A (livl/lon arifia
amon^ ih"_Chr.(bi^n Indians, i ^3. Thofe of Salem and S.hoenhtunn called to
Giiadei'huettcn, 15(5. The fdUemrnt forfaken and plundered, 161. Murdef
of the Ciirift an Indians cominitifd at Gnadenhuelten, 180.
Cnade.hucttcn. iv'ew, on the river Huron, built, III. 193. Vifited by many
Cnippeways, ib. Peaceful beginning, 154. Famine occafioned by fevcre '
fioft, 199. Becomes by the induftry of the- Indians a i-ery p'eafarjt town,
2C0. The Chippt-ways comphiin. 201. Vifittd by white peOiJe, -^.ci. Aa
ofier to returij to the river Mufkingum glad'y accepted by the Indian con-'
gregation there, 204. New Gnadenhi.etten vifi ed by Delawares, Mahik«ns^
Nantikoks, Ac, 205.: Forfakes, and inhabited by white people, 206,
Gnadenfec, II. i 1 5.
Gnader.tbal , II. 152. Some Delaware families move thither, 183.
Goat-j'u.kcr^ a bird, I. 91.
Gc^^ia/w^, or the habitation of owlsi III. 162.
Gojcbachguenk, a town, built by the Delawares, III. 104,
CoJchg'-jchuc;ik, a town of the Delawares, on the Ohio, III. ]6. Defcribed, 22.
Inhabitants r.°joice at the arrival of the niiffiona,Mcs, 23. Very i' olatrous,
il>. A fct'lernent formfd there, 30. Great perffcuiione, 31. Inh.:'bi'ants
divided between two opinions, 35. Many are concenv d for their ialvati n,
42. RfHPwed perfecutions, 43. 7he miffionarie; r^uit theplace, 44. Coun-
cil at G ;(chgofchuenk agrees to receive the GofpT, 48,
Gottlith, one of ■ the firft-fruits of the Delaware nation, U. y^. His de-"
ceafe, 146.
Givernmer.t, Ift^li/h, always protected and befriended the miflion, fl. 226. Jti
libera'ity, III. 3. Endeavours to promote peace, 94. Ooliged to ufe feverity,
97. Defira the Chriftian Indians to adhere to the articles of peace, 113. Ex-
traordinary kindnefs to ihe rai^aion^-193.
Grafs, I. 74. Winter grafs, 75, Withered grafs burnt, 55.
G^eenlaniiers arrive at Bethleiiem, II. I16.
Gi-eg-or., Chriflian, his vifit to Friedenffiuetten, &c. III. 63. ■
Gruh, mifiionary, at Pach^atgocb, If. 124. Vifits Shomokin, 143. Goes irl
queft of the fugitive Indians, 1^8. His faithfulnefs and courage at Wechque=
tank, 209. Anfw?rs the accufations againft the Brethren btfare the governor
of Pennfylvania, 2ii. Travels with the congregation to Amboy, 2zo. Re-
turns t<» Philadelphia, 2^1. Takes leave of his congregation, 250. Attends
them at Nain, 232. Vifits the fettlements on the Mufkinguni, III, 146.
Cull, abirJj 1. 92,
H
JJAGBN, Johft, fentto Georgia, vifits the Cheiokees, II. 6. .
Hald'mand, General, approves of the proteftion granted to themiffion, Ilf. ig^.
Bares, I. 86,
Harmar, Lieutenant Colonel, hismeflage to the miffionaries, III. 219.
Hawks, I. 91, &c.
Hcckenioaelder, John, miflionary, goes to Tufcarora town> II. 201. Aifivel
with four Indian families at Friedenftadt, III. 74. Meets the travelling con-
gregation, and.condu(Sls them to Friedenftadt, 80. Conduits the congrega-
tion of Friedenftadt to the Mu/kingum, S9. Obliged to quit Schoenbrunri
precipitately, buffoon return?, 120. Stationed at Lichttnau, 138. Taken
prifoner by the favages; 155. His wife joins him, 157. Liberated, and led to
Sandu/ky, 161. To Detroit, 164. 174. Remains at Detroit, 191. Crofles
Lake Erie with the Indian congregation, 207. Returns to Bethleheni,- 215,
Beron, a bird, I. 91.
Hieroglyphics^ Indian, I. 25.
Hijlury of Indian Nations, I. 24. 122.
Horfsfidd, mifiionary, II» I21.
H-jrfe-Fly-) I. 75.
Horfes, I. 74. A great number alarm the Indians, III. T2S. 217.
Hofpitality of the Indians, I. 15. Of the converts efpecially, 11. 85. scji
111, 16, 15. 98. 107. To the Huron warriors, 123. To the Ottawaws, 2093
Jiniifikcep'ing Indiaji, eiefcribed, I. 59.
Hunimina-bird^ I. 54. .
Hnndfecktr, Lieutenant, his attention to the Chriflian Indians, II. 233.
Hunting, the principal employment of the Indians, I, 75. Defcribtd, 76, &c.
The Indians cannot venture to hunt, II. 177. Chief fupport of the travelling
congregation, 233. Proves a means of feduiftion, 111,17. Turns out toad-
vantage, 194.
Huron Indians, I. 2. Territory, 3. . Wifh to- take part with the Engll/i:,
III. 109. Warlike meiHtge to the Delawares, 114. Declaration to the
governor of Pittfburg, 117, Defift from further hoftiljties, if 3. Embafiyof
Huions arrives at Gofchachguf nk, 122. Twd hundred Huron warriors ^o to'
Lichtenau, 123. Speech of the half-king of the Kurons, 124. Their
tranfadions in and about Lichtenaii, 125, &c. The half-king defeats a body
of Americans, 1^9. He accepts a meiTage from the Iroquois to remove the
, Chriftian Indians, 150. His tranfaftions 'at Gnadenhuetten, 151, Hurorf
v.-arrjors favage behaviour, 154, Plunder the miffionaries' hojfes, 1^6,
Drive them from their fettlements, 161. HaU'-king vifits Sanduiky, 171.
Sufpei^s the Chriftian Indians, 172, Procures an order for the removal of th^
Ivlilhonaiits, 174. Drives the congregation from Sanduiliv, 18S.
H-i'.rcn lake dc-fcribtd, I, j,
INDEX.
Hutf, Indian, defcrlbed, I. 53.
Hjmns tianflated into the Delaware and Mahikan languages, 11.
IDOLJTRT, I. 39. .
Indians, a name giver? tc ail North American tribes, T, t. Nations defcritred Ja
this work, s. Their tcrriloiies, 3. Account of the country, 4. Bodily
confljtution, 17., Charafter and powers of intelleifl, 13, The)' love eafe, are
Jtind, lociable, and outA'ardiy decsnt, 14. Refpeft age, lovs prefsnts ; are
hofpitable, cruel to enemies, 15, Punifcment of crimes ; ingcn^Tity, 16, L,-)ve
their nation, diflikethe white people, 17. Their ele<?uenee j diir=mbling, 21.
Manner of writing, 23. Ideas concerning natural phsnomenfl 5 works of
art, 32. Superftition, 33, &c. Sacrifices and fsalls, 40, &c. Diefs, dwell-
lings, and houfekeeping, 48, &c. Marriages, and education of children, 560
Food, agriculture, breeding of cattle, 65, &'c. Trade, trgrvelling, dancing,
&c.- 98. Difeafes and their care 5 funerals, mourning, 107, &c. Hiftory,-
i'23. Chiefs, 130. Political Gonflitution, i^. Manned of making war, 141.
of making peace, 155,
jhdians, Chriftian, refiJe at Shekomeko, II. 9. Wachquatnach and Pachgatg«ch,
15. Potatik, 39. Frjeden/huecten near Bethlehem, 84. Gnadenhuetten oiT
the Mahony, 84. MenioLgomekah, t i 6, Wajomick, 15 r. New Gnadcn-
huetten, 152. Bethlehem, i5S. Nain, 1S7. Wsch-quetar.k, 193. Mach-
v/ihlluCing, 203. Nazareth, 213. Province Ifland, 2j6. A mboy, 221.
Barracks at Philadelphia, 2ZZ. Friedenfliuetten on the Sufquebannah, III. r,
Gofchgofchuenk, 23. Tf.;hech(chcquannink, 36. L^wunaki-.a-nnek, 44.,
Friedensfiadt, 57. Scho^nbrunn, 74, GnaJenhuetten on the iMjifcingum, S3.
Lichtcnaii on the Muficingum, iii. Salem, 138. Upper Sanduiky, i6:o
They are difperfed among the bh^vvanoTe, or go lome to Pipeftown, lyme to
the iver Miami, i8?'. Coilefted ^gain at Fort Detroit, 590. RcfrdeatNew
Gnadenhuetten on the river Huron, 192. Detained fome svceks on an iiiar.d
in Lake Erie, 20S. Refide at Pil^jerruh, 211. Are cncanined near Lake Lrie,-
221. Settle at New Salsm, 2i6.
Jti.iiayi', River, I. 130.
JvghaK, Rev. Benjamin, affifts t!ie Breihren. II. 4.
Inundations frcqyent on the Ohio, I, 8. On the bants of the Suf-uehannah,
III 67. At Sandulky, 170.
J?-.^^?ion, or Six Nations, I. I. Territories, S. Pol'tica! conftiMtion, 130. Al-'
iiances, 136, The Brethren attend to their converfion, IT. 4. Their decifion
refpefting the mifironaries, 123. .'trc fairt to pcpofs the r^.niova! of the In-
dian congregation to Wajomick, 144. Crafty fchemes imputed to ti.em, i ^o.
But found to originate ell'ewhere, i jg. Sell their land eail of the Ohio to the
Englifh. III. 27, Their treacherous bchsviour, 52. Difpieafio at 'he f niigr.iMon
of theChrifttJnlndians, 73. Sell more land to the Englifli, 89. ' Join the Ens-
Jiih againft the Colonies, 114. Join the Huron half-king, 1^7, S.-ndamtV-
fage concerning the Chriftian Indians to the Chippewsys and Oltawaws, ij^y,
. Send an embafly to the Shawanofc, aivifing peace, ij3,
Xjrae!, Gottlieb, miffionarv, II. 24.
J
JOHNSON, Sir William, II. a -9. Makes peace v^vh the Inilar.-t, HI, 3. En-'
coa age's the Chrifiian Indians al Fiiedenfljuctten, 27.
y<'!nni;ffiom. Chief, his fpeeches, II. 134.
"'f^v.athan, aloft iheep, Buettner's ace -unt of him, II. 67.
jojhua, a faithful afliaant, dep.-rts ihis life, HI. 108,
J-tir'.ici of the Miflionarifs to On^^mcago, II. 79. To Wajo^ilk, 82. To Sho-
fnokin, 91. To Meniolagomekah, ri6. To Philadelphia, I'iSI. To Ononda-.,.,
j20. To the Sufqueh-annah, N^fopeko, &c. 130. To Shomok;n and Waj< -
ffiik, zjj. Zti/berger's joutncy to Mafchwihi4uiir,£, 203. Of" the Milliona-
yicg
INDEX.
ries and the Chriftian Indians to the Engli/h army, 220. Their return to PM-
ladelphia, 221 Journiesof the In-iian congregation to Machwihilufing, 233.
Zfilberger's to Gofchgofchuenk, III. 20. Of the Chr fti.in Imiant to Kalka-
flcunk, 56. From Fiiedenfhuetten to Schonbrunn, -7 From the fettle-
ments on the Mufkingum to Sandufky, j6/. Firft Journey ot the Mi'Tionaries
to Fort Detroit, J64. Second journey (^f the Milfionaries to Fort Dcn-jit, 174.
To the river Hunn. 192, Of the Brethren Weygand and SThebofch, 194.
Of the Chrittun Ir;dians to the Cayahaga, 207. From Pilgeriuh to Pettquot-
ting, 226.
ywg, M chael, miffionary, III, 147, Accompanies the Indian congrega-
tion to the river Huron, 192. Goes to Bethlehem, 194. Returns to the mif-
fion, 222.
"Jimgman, John George, miffionary, refides at Pachgatro':h, II. iSi. Goes
to Fri.densftadt, III. 60, Obliged to leave Schosnbrunn, 120. Returns ta
Betlilehem, af»|r fu(i'cring with the Indian congregations on the Mufkia-
gum, 230.
K
KASK/ISKUNK, a town of the Delawares. The Chiefs invite the Brethren,
III. 55.
Kejijh, a Chief of the Delawares, account of, 11.114. Called Solomon in
b^jptilm, 115.
K'kapus\nA\an^, I. 2. Territory, I. 3. Give land to the Delawares, 127.
K'-j(r, nnlffiOnaryj his dangerous lituation at Shomokin, II. 164.
Kiop^ one of the firftfruits, II. 19. In baptifm called Jacob, 21.
Kuhlin, Hi|ih Sheriff, his attention to the Chriftian Indians, II. 233.
LANGE, aSwifs, departs this life at Lichtenau, II. 145.
Languages, InA'idiny I 18, &c. Several miffionaries ftudy the Maquavir, II. 103.
the Delaware, and Shawanofe, 1 154.
Languntcnte '.uenk . See Friedenspadt.
Laurence, St, River, defcribed, I. 7.
Lawunakhantiek, a town on the Ohii, Chriftian Indians fettle there, III. 44,
Difficulties in their outward fupport, .|8. Chapel built, 49. Pleafing courfe,
53, Troubled by warriors, 55. Forfaken, 56.
Li'arb, John, III, 141.
Lebaiirjti, II. 181.
Leek IJland, the Chriftian Indians fly to, and return, II. 218.
Lcnilenu^i, naaie given to the Delawares by themfelves, I, 2.
Lejly, joMii.Frederick, murdered on the Mahony, II. 166.
Leiun, Mr. c^iiuftsihe Chriftian Indians, II. 220.
Lichtenau, on the Mufkingum, built at th'. requeft of the Delaware council,
III. no, III. Internal profperity, external troubles, 113. Providentially
fit uated near Gofchachguf nk, 116. Recepti.onof the emigrants from Schoeti-
brunn, 120. Vifited by Huron wariicrp, 125, A fudden alarm makes the
congregation fly, 128. Chapel enlarged, and new houfes built, 133. For-
faken, 138.
Litany tranflited into the Mahlkan language, II. 182.
Lixiards, I. 89.
Locu/ls, III. 17.
Loc'weiifiein, Colonel, protedls the miflionaries at Sopus, IT. 72.
Logan, Commiffary, his kindnefs, and fpeech to the Chriftian Indians, II. 220,
Long JJland, in the Sufquehannah, Mack's vifit to, II. 92. Tiavelling congre*
gation paffes by, III. 78.
Loon^ a bird, I. 93.
Lora'iSujfer adminiftered for the firft time at Shekomeko, II. 46. At Schoen-
brunn, III. 75. For the l?.ft titne at Friedenfhuetten, 77. For the laft time at
Salem, i6o. At Pilgerruh, 211. At New Salem, 223.
Loretx, John, viftts the Indian congregations at Fnedenlhuetten, ^'C. III. 6'.
Mac
inoEX-,
M
MdC CORMICK, an Engltfh trader, kind to the Cbriftlan Indian^, III. 169.
MachnviLi ujing, on tlje river SuJquehannah, II. rgi. Awakening at MachwI-
hilufing, II. 203. The inhabitants prefer Zcjftcrgar to other teachers, 206.
The inhabitants forfake the place, and the Indian congregation rel'olve to go
. thither, 231. They arrive, 234.
Mack, Mart-n, miflionary, II. 18. Arrives at Shekoxitieko, 35. Vifits Pach-
gatgcch, 3S. And Povatik, 39. Is periecuted, 58. Appointed miflionary at
Gnadenhiietten,ii8. Goes to Shomokin, 9 i. His wife's deceafe, 119, Vifita
. Shomoicin, 148. Goes to Wjjomik, 153.
Mahik.m Indians, I. 2. Territory, 3. Gofpel preached iifli to them, II. 9. Inha-
bit Gnadenhuetten on the Mufkingum, III. 89.
Manitto defcribed, I. 39-
Maple {lygiT, I. 72. III. 17. 194,
Marriages, Indian, I. 56, &:.
MarfcbdU, Frederick VViJliam Von, a£ls as agent for the Indians, II. 217.
Martha, Indian fchoolmiftiefs, at Litiz, II. 34.
Mariin, Frederick, miflionary among the Negroes, II, 8. Arrives in Beth=
■ lehem, 24.
Martin, John, an Indian brother, his converfation with an American general,
Iir. 137. Murderedon theMiiikingutn, 180.
Afa»7/«, or fable, I. 86.
Mawefeman, Captain at Pachgatgoch, called Gideon in baptifnij II. 43.
Miazles, appear at Nain, II, J91. On the Journey among the Indians, III. -jti
Medicines, I. 109, &c-
Meeting, extraordinary, vvitK the inhabitants of Mew Gnadenhuetten, II. 155,
Farewell meeting at Naln, 232. Laft meeting at Schoenbrunn, III. 120. At
Lichtenau, 13S. Previous to the miffionaries departure for Detroit, 174.
M^", Indian, defcribed, 1. 12. ,
Meniolagomc>ah, vifited by Count Zinzendorf, II. 25. A fettlement formed ther*,
116, Precarious ftate of the miffion, 130. The believing inhabitants retire to
Gnadenhuetten, 151.
Miffo^e, of the Iroquois to the inhabitants of New Gnadenhuetten, II. 157. 1^6,
Qi the Indians inWajomick, 165. From the Indians on the Sufqiiehannah to
the believers, 182. To the Cijugu Chief, III. 5. 7. Special meffag- from Sir
William Johnfon to the Chrifiian Indians, 26, AUemewi's, to the Senneka
chief, 29. To the council at Zonefhio, 35. Threatening rreflage to the Chrjf-
tian Indians on the Mufkingunfi, 96. Ot the believers to the Delaware Chief^j
129. Of the governor of Fort Detroit, to the Delaware and Huron Half-
kine, 164. To the Huron Half-king, 173. Of the Chippeway Chief to the
Indians at New Gnadenhuetten, 205. Ot captain Pipe to Pilgerrub, 218.
Michael, an aged Indian, account of. If. 1S9.
7kfifi6/j-j;j Lake defcribed, I. 5,
Minerals,, I. 1 1,
Min^ues, ot Mifgos, I. 2. III. 115. A captain of Mingues refufes to murder
Zeifberger, 136.
MiJJionaries fent among the Indians, II. 3. Excited to praife God for their fuc-
cefs, 48. Severely peifccuted, 57, Summoned before a juftice, 59. Sent to
New York, 6 is Examined and acquitted, 62. Compelled to quit Sheko-
meko, 64. Imprifoned, 71. Abufed at Sopus, 72. Study the Maquaw lan-
guage, 103. Renew their covenant to remain faithful, 127. . Havecaufe both
ffer joy and grief, 145. Earn their own bread, 1 1. 37. 93. 156. In great
danger at Shomokin, 164. Several murdered on the Mahony, 166. Their
diftrefs and pei feverance in the barracks at Philadelphia, 227. Much employ-
ed at Friedenshuetten, III. 5. Find enemies, 19. Perfecuted at Gofchgof-
chuenk, 31, Quit that place, 44. Their declaration concerning contribu-
tions, 59. Difturbed by lying reports, 69. Are guarded by the Indian bre-
thren againft murderers, ao. 34. 71. 94. In a perilgus fjtuation, 95. Greatly
Part IH, S embirrafledJ
INDEX.
embarraffed, 114. Adv'ifed to fly toPIttfburg, butrefufe, 115. Avoid intef'
fering with politics, hu: obliged to tranflate and snfwer letters for the Ijidisn
Chiefs, 116. Sufpedled to influence t;:e council of the Delaware nation, uSi
Threatened with death, 119. Greatly afflifted by the fchifm at Schoenbrunn,
120. Plan to remove them not approved, 121. In continual danger dur.ng
the American v/ar, 120, &c. Comforted by a revival of grace, 129. Their
coirefpondeiice uninterrupted, 132. They are prefsrved in many inftances, 135.
Rrjoire over the Indian congregations, 139. Encouraged by J. F. Reichel's
letters, 148. Arrangements among them, 149. Their perplexities encreafe,
being fufpecled by the governor of Detroit, 15O, Refcued by the opinion of
a forceref, 154, Taken prlfoners, 155. Set at liberty, preach the Gofpcl, and
adminifter the facraments at Salem, 160, Forced to emigrate, 161. In great
diftrefs, obliged to receive alm.^, 153. Prought to Fort Detroit, 1C5. Well
treated and examined by the goi-ernor, 166. Honorably acquitted, and return
to Sandufky, 168. Troubled by falfe brethren, 171. Brought the fecond
time to Detroit, 174. Detained in Lower Sandu/ky, 186. On their arrival at
Detroit, very humanely treated and fet at liberty by the governor, 187. Will
not forfake their !.eopIp, 1S9. Coljeit them again at Detroit, where they fsrve
both the white p.ople and the Indians with the Gofpel,90. Leave Detroit, and
fettle on the, river Huron, 19a. Send to all places where the difperfed Chrif-
tian Indians refide, 1 94. Called upon to baptize the children of the white peo-
ple, 19J. 200. Travel with the congregation to the Cayahaga, 207. Are en-
courEged by Congrefs, 215. Perplexed by rumors, 219, Propofe to the In-
dians to quit Pilgerruh, 220. Go to New Salem, 222. Full of courage and
confidence, Hid.
Mijfton-houje on the Mahony, II. 152. Attacked by the favages, 166. And de-
ftroysd, 167.
M'ffififpi River defcribed, I. 7.
Mockfrig bird, I. 93.
Mohawks, I. 2. Vifit Friedenshuetten, III. iS,
Monor^chclla river, I. 6.
Menfy tribe, adopt the brethren. III. 56. Endeavour to join the Mingues, 119. .
^ Wifh to fet the nations againft the Delawares and Chrifl:ian Indians, 134.,
Their favage behavior on the Mulkingum, 155.
Moore, Juftice of the Peace, his attention to the Chriftian Indians, II. 233.
Morgan, Colonel, his opinion concerning the miffionaries. III. 121. Letter to
the Delawares, iz8.
Mo/hkc5,l. z. Territory, 3. "Wars with the Shawanofe, 127.
M'luntaim, Apalachian, Alleghery, L8. Shining, Blue, Wolfs, Seidling, Laurel, 9.
Murder at Stockbridge, II. 155. Murder committed by French Indians, 164,
Murder of the brethren on the Mahony, 166. At Allemangel, 180. In the
, Irifh fettlement, 210. Of the peaceable Indians at Caneftoga, 2J7, 218.
Near Shomokin, III. 25. Committed by the Sennekas, 48. By the Chero-
kees, 94. By the Hurons and Mingues, 115. Account of. the murder of the
Chriftian Indians on the Muftingjm, 176, &C.
Mujkingum, river, I. 6. Firft fettlement made on. III. 74, Plans formed to de-
jftroy the fettlements on the Mufkingum, 127. Pleafing courfe of the fettle-
ments, 139. The fettkinents attacked by the favages, 151, Behavior of the
iiihabitants, 15S. Murderers afTemble to furprife and kill them, 176. Perpe-
trate the r horrid defi^n, 180. The Chriftian Indians wifti to return thither, but
are opp fed by the Delawares and Shawanofe, •III. 204.
Mujkitocs, I, 102.
N
NAIN, built, II. 1 8 3. Encreafing and flourifliing ftate, 202. Alarmed by war,
207. Blockaded on all fides, 212. The inhabitants prepare for an attack, 213.
Forfaken, 215. Farewell metting of the Indians there, 23a.
iVrf>?//M Indians, I. 2. Territorv, 3. Their art of mixing poifon, 1 18. Sin-
gular cuftom relpefting the dead, lai, Vifited by the raiflionaries, li. 121.
Index,
VifitFrieden^hueften, III. i8. The Nantikoks of Zeninge threaten to kill
, the miflionary Schniick, ig.
Naizareth, built, II. i 6. The congregation aflifts ths miffion, 153. Sends wag-
. gons, and receives the fugitive Intiians from Wechquetank, 212.
Negroes, ]n North America, and Indians, intermany, I, 58. Their converfion
confidered, II. loi.
Nefiiopiko, a town, inhabitants of Gnsv^enh'ietten refrove thither, II. 151.
Netaioatiuces, Head-chiel of the Dfl.iw.'.res, I. 132. I 37. Ceremotiies after his
death, 122. lavites the Chii'.tia;, In.dianG to GekeJemukpechuenk, III 63.
Receives and lodges Brother Z jilberger, 60. Invicps the believers to fettle on
iheMu/k'ngum.yj; Hi-; opinion conoe mug more mifiionaries, qi. Hisgrand-
fon joins the believers, loo. His ctiar.fe of mind in favor of the Gofpel, ic2.
Confirms the aift of the D<;laware nation to r..--ceive the Gofpel, 103. His ne-
phew baptized. His fon and family moves to Lichtenau. His humb'e confel-
fion, 112. Endeavours to preferve peace, 114. Departs this life at Pittifaurg,
116. His laft will frequently repeated in counril, ib.
Neicallike, a Chief, removes to Schoenbrunn, III. 9S. Makes a party at
Schotnbrunn, 119.
Nezo Lights, H, 38. .
Nitigaia, I. 6. Falls, 8.
Nicodemus, an afliftant, account of, II. 1 10.
ISIigbt-iuaU'ers, a clafs of deceivers, I. 46,
Nitfchm/iti, David, condudts a company of brethren to Georgia, II. 3. Vifits
Shekomeko, 18.
jMit/chmaM, John, fucceeds Srangenberg^ II. 118.
N'tfchman, Martin, and his wife, murdered on the Mahony, II. 166.
iVoi/e, Thomas, merchant at New York, his kindnefs towards the imprifoned
miffionaries, II, 72.
O
0GLE7'/70.'?P£, General, forwards the Brethren'sdefign ofgoingtoGeorgia, If. 3.
Ohio, river, defciibed, I. 6.
OhKeberg, Sarah, III. 146.
OH, foflil, I. 117.
Orelathra, or zibet, or mufk-rat, I. 86.
OneKia, one of the Six Nations, I. 2. Chiefs oppofe the miinonaries, II. 141,
' Their craftinefs, 159. Oneida Chief's declaration concerning the believers,
III. 27.
Oneida, Lake, I. 6,
Onondago, one of the Six Nations, I, 2. Account of the town, I». i2i. Two
Brethren refide there, r4i. Build a fmall houfe for their private ufe, 156.
0-n'arto, lake, defcnbed, I. 5.
Ofoffiim, I. 84.
Orchards, I. 71. _ .
Order of Gi'uernment concerning the Chriftian Indians, granting them prote£lion,
II. 82, To remove thofe of Nain and Wechqu«:ank to Philadelphia, 214. To
fend them to the Englifli drmy, 219.
Off ray, I. 91.
Oiftonwackin, II. 32. ^
Ot/aivaws, Indians, I. 2. Territory, 3. Join the Hurons, III. J27, Refufft
to moleft the Chriftian Indians, 150, Meet them near Lake Erie, 209.
Oner, 1. 84,
Ovens defcribed, I. 108,
Oivls, I. 91.
P
PACHGATGOCH, awakening at, 11,15. MilTicnary refides there, 49. Troubjes
J55. Encreafe of trouble, 162. Not forfaken during the war, 181. Great
troubles these, 200.
S % IP^int,
INDEIf.
Pa'iat, much in ufe among the Indians, I. 4.9.
Pa'fanli!e,Ch.ief of the Delawares, 111. 36. Welcomes the Chriftian Indians at Kaf-
kalTcunk, 56. Gppofes Glikkikan, 57. Invites the Brethren to fettle nearer
Kafkalkunk, 50. Vifits Friedensftadt, 72. Accepts the propoftl of the
Chief and council at Gekelemukpechuenk to receive the Gofpel, 102. His
fon baptized, 107.
Tanther, I. 82.
Fapunhanky an heathen teacher, II. 191. His awakening, 192. Wiflies to
remain a teacher, 196. Lofes his influence, 203. His converfion, 206,
Called John in baptlfm, 207. Condufts twenty-one fugitives to Province Ifland,
217. Sent as a meflenger of peace to the warriors, 227. His acquaintance
co.-ne to Friedenshuetten, HI. 4. Accompanies Zeilberger to Gorchgofciiuenk,
20. Perfecuted by calumniators, 65, His daughter baptized, 77. Appoint-
ed fpeaker to the embafly, 81. His happy deceafe,- 108.
farrots, I. 92.
Partrid^^ s, I. 92.
Partjch, miflionary, and his wife, efcape fiom the murderers on the Mahony,
II. 166.
Taxnoui, Chief of the Sbawnnofe, brings a fingulnr meflage to New Gnaden-
huetten, n. 157. His wife's baptifm, 161. His efforts to fave the miflionatiea
atShomokin, 164. His fon lodges Zeiiberger, III. S2.
Peace, \)e\t of, I. 28. Indian manner of making peace, 155. Pipe of peace,
called calumet, 156. Attempts to negotiate a peace, II, 178. Peace
made atEafton with three hundred Indian deputies, 185. Peace made known
to the Indian congregation, 229. General peace fettled by Sir William John-
fon. III. 3. Re-eftabliihed, 27. The Indian warriors forced to make
jpeace, 97. Peace eftabliihcd between England and the United States, 194.
Pdlican, I. 90.
Perfecution of the miffionaries at Shekomeko, II. 11. At Pachgatgoch, 50. At
Shekoraeko, 58. Some caufes afligncd, 70. Of the Indians on their way
to Philadelphia, 215. On their way to the Englifli army, 220. While in
the barracks at Philadelphia, 223. At Gofchgofchuenk, III. 31. On the
Mufkingum, Sandufky, &c. 148. See the IXth and following chapters.
Petawontakai Indians, join the Hurons, III. 127.
Pctrr, Papunhank's oppofer at Machwihilufing, baptized, II. 207.
Pettqao'ting river, crolTed by the travelling congregation. III. 209.
leyjier, Arcnd Scuiler de, governor of Fort Detroit, fends for the miflionarle?-,
III. 164. Examines, and honorably acquits them, 167. His great kindnefs
towards them and the Indian athftants, 166. Orders the miffionaries and
their families to be brought again to Detroit, 173. His humane and con-
defcending behavior, 187. Sends a meflage to the Chriftian Indians, 190.
Affifts the miffion in various ways, igi. 193. 195,
Pbi-afants, P. 92.
Philadelphia, The Chriftian Indians ordered tp go to Philadelphia, arrive, and
are refufed admittance into the barracks, II. 216, They return thither,
and are admitted, 222. x
Phyficiar.s, Indian, account of, I. 109, European phyficians much refpefted by
the Indian', 112.
Tigecl.r-
Pigs, not hurt by ra'.tlefnakes, I. 83.
Pilgerruh, a fettletnent on the Cayahaga, III. 211. Advantage of its fituatior^
213. Much vifited by Chippeways, &c. »i. Difturbed, 216. Inhabitan-ts
fly into the woods, 217. Build a chapel,/^. Perplexed by rumors of war,
218. Pilgerruh forfaken, 220.
Pipe, tobacco, I. 51. Of peace, 156.
Pipe, a Delaware Captain, his wife's converfion, III. 105, He is an enemy
of the Gofpel, and joins the Huron Half-king to deftroy the miffion, 150*
His favage behavior on the Mulkingum, 152. Boafts of having made flaves
c£ the Chriftian ludiatjs, 163. Ordered to bring the miffioaaries to Fort
Detroit,
INDEX.
Detroit, 164. Chief evidence againft them, 166. Is confounded, and changes
his mind, 167. His meflage to Pilgerruh, 216.
PUtflurg, Fort, built by the Englifh, II. 190.
PlaKts, I. 68, &c. Officinal, 115, &c.
Poijan. Suicide committed by taking poifon, I, 58. Mixing of poifon, n?.
Polygamy, I. 38. 58.
Ponk, an infe£t, account of, III. 79.
Porcupir.e, I. 84.
Poji, Frederic, goes to Shekomcko, and marries a baptized Indian woman, II. 37.
He is imptifoned at New York, 71, Refides at Pachgargoch, 88. His plan
of eitablifliing a miffion at Tufcarora town fails, 201.
Potatik, awakening there, II, 39.
Pciuel, Jofeph, goes to Shomokin,n. 102.
Preachers, Indian, I. 35. A preacher fends a meflage to Friedenshuetten, III.
28. A renowned preacher perverts the truth at Gekelemukpechuenk, 70.
And at Kafkaikunk, 71. A preacher in the Shawanofe country much moved,
83, A preacher hears the Gofpel at Schoenbrunrt, 98.
Ptdjir, Martin, murdered on the Mahony, II. 166.
Prifonersof v/nTf mode of treating them, I, 149.
Province Idand, fettlement of the Chriftian Indians there, II. 216.
P utetvoatamen Indian?, I. 2. Territory, 3.
Pjrlaeus, miflionaty, II, 18. Studies the Maquaw language, 52. Endures great
hardfliips, 54. Goes to Canatshochary, 54.
SiUADRUPEDS, 1. 1%,
fakers, people fo called, at Philadelphia, moft humanely aflift the Chrif-
tian Indians, II, 217. Exert themfelves for their defence in the barracks,
222. Send a prefent of money for their relief. III. 80.
Siuitopeblll, fynod held at, III. io2.
RACOON, I. 83.
P.afids, in the Sufquehannah, III, 78.
jRa«/f/«ate, defcribed, I. 87- Their bite, and its cure, 1 14. Annoy the travel-
ling congregation. III. 78.
Rattkfnakc-root, its growth and ufe, I. 1 14.
Rau, John, employs the miffionary Chriftian Rauch, II. 11.
^auch, Chriftian Henry, miffionary, arrives at New Yoik, II. 7. His firft inter-
view with Mahikan Indians, 8. Sets out for Shekomeko, 9. Perfecuted,
J2. Vi/its Bethlehem, 17. Is appointed mifiionary at Gnadenhu«tten, 88.
Addrefstothe Indian Brethren at New Gnadenhuettenj, 159.
Reception into the congregation, of an Indian woman, aged nineiy-feven, III. 52.
Of a family baptised by a Roman Catholic prieft, 99. Of feveral perfons,
129.
Rejleaions on the murder of the Brethren on the Mahony, II. 169. On the
murder of the Chriftian Indians at Gnadenhuetten, III. 183. On the dJay
in crofling Lake Erie, 212.
Regulations, external, at Gnadenhuetten, lie loo, 132. Made at Bethlehem
during the war, 173. At Nain, 185. In the barracks at Philadelphia, 222,
At Friedenshuetten, III. 3, At Friedensftadt, 60. At Schoenbrunn, &c,
86. Their falutary aim, ib.
Reichel, John Frederic, vifits North America, III. 148. His letter to the Indian
congregations read, 149.
Re'mbeck, inhabitants of, defire to hear the Gofpel, II. 11,
Religioui ceremonies of the Indians, I. 33.
Renattts, an Indian Brother, feized and imprifoned, II. 213. Hears tlie account
of his father's death, II, 228. Is examined and acquitted, ih.
S 3 Refolut'iart
INDEX.
EcfoUtticns concerning the Miffion, II. 29, 108. Made by the Indians at Beth-
lehem, 183. Of the conference at Friedenshuetten concerning the reinoyal
of" the Chriftian Indians, III, 64. Of the conference at Bethlehem, concern-
jng the fame, 65. Taken by the congregation on the Mufkingum for their
fafety, 128.
Return of ftrayed converts, of Jonathan and Jonah, II. 67. Jacob, &c. 90,
Joy over the return of loll fheep, ico. 184. Return of fugitives, 189.
Of many to Friede.oshuettcn, lU. 13. Of many to the fettlements on the
Mufkingum, 131. Of feveral of the apoftates at Schoenbrunn, 145. Of
many, in the nndfl- of trouble, 164, 170. Of the difperft-d Indian congre-
gations to the iiiifiionaries, 190, ic)6. 224. Of Luke, 225.
Bioters at Paxton and Lancalter, 11. zi-]. At Philadelphia, zz^. Savage rioters
■ at FtiedensftadtjIII. SS. '' - '
llohbers, I. 102. ' ■
R.herifon, caofain of Highlanders, II. 230.
B bertfon, defter, his opinion concerning the peopling of N.>;-th America, I. i.
Robins, z.n Englifli trader, kind to the Cm iflian Indians, III. 163.'
RccJJer, Gottfried, goes to Wajomicic, II- 153. Kis dangerous fituation at
Sliomolcin, 164,
J? n/i, Peter, II. 4.
Rofe, a place belonging to the Biethren, II. 175.
Roibe, John, miffionary, II. z i 5. Goes to Frieaenshuctren, III. 4. To Tfchech-
fchequannink, 37, Condufts the Indian congregation to Scaombiunn, 77.
TotheMulkingum, 89
Rum trade, I. lOo. Its peiiiicious effcds confidered by the council at Onondago,
II. 156. Trade in rum occafions trouble. III. 15. Th^ofe of rum abandon-
ed at Gofchgorchnenk, 3 :. Trade in rum prohibited at Gtkelemukpe-
chuenk, butconti.ouesnevertheleft, S7.
Rufdi, Gottfried, m;fiicna:y, 11. 140.
SJCRIFICES,J, ■},g. Feafts of facrifices, 40. Houfe of facrifice, 41. Sa-
i:riiices appointed, by Wangomer, III. 43.
Sakima, v.ich his wife, baptized at Fried?nshuetter, Ilf. 3.
Saltm, on the Mufkingum, built, III. 138. fkcifinij couife of the congregation,
139, The Huron Half-king and Capvain Pipe arrive there, 151. Their
tranfi.ftion';, 152, Sec. Ail the Chriftian Indians nreet at Salem, 160. The
fettlepient f'rfdken and pU.n'ered, j6i.
Salem, New, on the river Kur n near Pet quottirig, III. 223.
Saltlicks, I II. Spring-;, 65.
Samuel^ fiift-frait of the Nantikok Indians, III. ia. Efcape at Schoenbrunn,
182.
Sdndujky^r'wt):,!. n. The mifTionarles and their n ijrepaiion? left at San-
duflty, III. 162. Great ciftrtfs, 163, A chap: i i, 16a. Gr-at famine,
170. New troubles, and their cauies, 172. L.M._(iuii f-.s of the Chriiliin
Indians on lofing ;heir*teache;s, 173, I'aelr ;;ecari us fituation, 187. and
difperftcn 1E8. Phn to murder the tongrcgat.on defe.»tca, /'i^. Council o^
Indian tribes held there, ai8.
Saijr.nah, fitft fettlemcnt there, II. 3. ' ■
Scalping, how performed, I. 48.
Scanfcation, in ufe among the Indians, I. i^,
Schmick, John Jacob, called to Cnaenbu-c-en, IF. 130, Improves the finging
of th= Indians, I ^3. Accompjnies Vat fn^^idvc Ind:.-ins to Setli-lchern, 16?.
Appointed to go with the Inc'ian ci ligregoticn to the Su.'queh^innah, a^ii
Appointed inifiionary at Gnacenhuetteo, IJL 00. Returns to Be'.hl hem,
126,
Schmidt, Anthony, goes to Shomohin, If. ic2. ■
Schoenbrunn, Icite of Schoenbrunn defcribed, III. 73. Settlement built, 74.
Vifited by m.ny heathen, 86. Inhabited chiefly by Ddawares, 89. Chapel
confecratcd;
INDEX.
confecrated, 93. Difturbed by warriors inarching to and fro, 96. Plealing
courfe, 97. Inctmal profperiiy ; external troubles, 113. Divili:ns arife,
119. Th? faithful part of the congregation leave Schoenbrunn, '20.
Schoenbnm rebuilt, 137. Foffaken, 161. Deflroyed and burnt by mur-
derers, iS'.
Schools, eftabli/hed at Gnadenhuettsn, II. 119. For finging hymns, 154. Con-
tinued at Bethlehem during the refidcncc of the Chriftian Indans, 177 In
the bara^ks. at Philadelphia, 225. At Friedenshuetten, III. 52. DAaWJLis
reading and fp filing books introSuced, 113,
Sch-weigrrf, George, niurderEd on the Mahony, II. 166,
5f.6:i,'c«^e»J*'; followers go to North America, D. 2. '
Scriptures, fevcral portions of the Scriptures tranflated into the Delaware and
Mahikan languages, II. 154. Rcvifion of fuch tranlldtions. III. So.
S!^!s, I. 98. N
Seide/, Chriftian, H. 159. Vifits Wajomick, Ne/kopeko, and Pachgatgoch, 161.
Seidel, i>Jathaniel, II. *|.5. Goes to Europe Co bring over affiftants, 124. Meets
the Indians at New Gnadenhuetten, 159. V;(its the Chriftian Indians ac
Annboy, 22I.
Seiifij one of the firft-fruits, IT. 19. In baptiftn called Ifaac, 21. His de-.
ceafe, 94.
Sennecka Indians, I. 2. Vifited, 31. 121. Vifit Friedenshuetten, III. 18.
Make war with the Cherokees, 55. Dilturb the. courfe of the miflion, 65.
Go to war, and murder v.hite people, 94.
Senfeman, Gottlob, miflionary, II. 37. Vifits the heathen on North Ri?er, 54,
Refides at Pachjatcoch, 129. His wife murdered by the favages on the ^■ja-
hony, 166. Accompanies the Indian vongregation to Machwihilufinj, 233.
Goes torefide at Gofchgofchuenk, III. 28. Perfecuted there. 31. Goes to
Lawunakhannek, 44. To Ffiedensftadt. 57. Returns to Bethiehem, 60.
Appointed miflionary at Gnadenhuetten, 149, Is made prifoner, and hardly
efcapes with his life, 155. His wife feized by the favages, 157, Led to
Sandufjcy, 161. To Detroit, 164. 174. Returns from New Gnadenhuetten
to Bethlehem, 203.
Scptrrattfis, Indian, II. "192. ,
Strpents, I. 87, &c. Their bite cured by the Indians, 113.
Scttlemint of Indians on the Lecha, II. 18 r. Irifti, 209.
Scyffart, Anthony, II. 2. ' His letter to the Author, 45,
Shabajch, an Indian Chief, II. S, His converfion, 1;. In baptifm called
Abraham, 21.
Shaiv, Jofrph, fchoolmafter at Shekomeko, II. 37.
Shaivanofe Indians, 1. 2. Wars with the Cherokees, 12S. Vifited by the
Brethren, III. 82. Their council beg for a lefident miflionary, 83. Zeif-
berger, on his ff.cond v.v.z, not well received by the Chief, 92. Go to war,
94, Enrag'^d againrt I'v.n Delawares, r'i. A Chief of the Shawanofe vifits the
Biethren, 107. Join the Hurons. 127. Invite the Chriftian Indians, 137,
S.irbofcb, niifiionary. goes 10 Onondago, II. 79. Collecls the fugitives at
Gnadtnhuetten, 168. Prefervation of his life. III. 135, Re'turns to the
Mufkingum, 147. Goes with the Indians to fetch corn, 163. Taken prL-
foner, 165. Liberated, and gojs to Bsthhhem, 175. His Ion murdered,
177. Receives the news of it, 1S3. P>.?turns to the Indian congregation,
194. Procures provifions at Pittfbiirg, 21 1.
Shekomeko, beginning of the million there, II. 9, Firft congregatii n eftabli/hed,
29. Vificed by the Brethren from Bethlthem, 45. " The Lord's Supper firft
adminiftertd there, 46. Chapel finifhed, 47. The congre pa ion perfecuted,
58. D:;prived of its niifliscaries, 64. DiftreiTed fituatioa of that mifllorj. So.
Forfakm, 87. Disturbances there, 88.
S'ci'l/.zujy, Job, meets Zeifoerger at Machvviiiilufing, II, 203.
StikeUimtis, head-Chief of the Iroquois, receives the Brethren kindly, II. 31, Ac-
count of his deceafe, iig,
Jd/i^ir, Captain, II. 22S.J '
Shoir.okiri,
INDEX.
Shomokiit, II. 31. Mlflion to Shomokin, 91, Sittlement xna(3e, 101. Diffi*
culries attending the miflion, 106. Sufferings of the Bfethren there almoft
infupportable, 163. Murder near Shomokin, III. 25.
Sbivonnah, or Sunday Indiana, the Believers fo called in derifion, III. 35. 95.
Skunk, defcribed, I. 85.
5w<3r/^-^ox, introduced by Europeans, I. ro8. Cured by foflil-oil, 117. Rages
among the Cherokees, IF. 6, Among the Indians St Bethlehem, 181. In
the barracks at Philadelphia, 227. At Friedenshuetten, III. 19.
Snipes, 1, 94.
Snoio, I. 10. Snow-{hoes, 103.
Soldiers, Englifli, attacked by fhe favages, II. 171. Four foldiers raife evil reports
againft the Brethren at Bethlehem, 174. Come into the neighbourhood of
Nain and Wechquetank, and fulpfft the Chriftian Indians, 208, Kill Zachary
and his wife, 209. Accompany the Chriftian Indians on their journey, 220.
Protedt them in the barracks at Philadelphia, 22a, Sent by the governor of
Detroit to proteft the miflionaries. III. 186.
5or««« defcribed, I. 46. Suppofed to poffsfs hidden m^ans of deftruftion, iiS.
AtGofchgofchuenk, III. •^2. At Tfchecbfchequannink, 38.. A forcerer faves
the lives of the miflaonaries, 154.
Spangenberg, Augiiftus Gottlieb, at Onondago, I. T38. Commiflioned to treat
with the truftees of Georgia, 11. 3. Accompanies the niiflionaries thither, ib.
Vifitation in St. Thomas, 4. Goes to Germany, 7. Returns to North Ame-
lica, andvifits Shekomeko, 64. Goes to Onondago, 79. To Wajomick, 97.
To Europe, 118, Returns to North America, 130. Labors at Gnadcnhuet^
ten, 131. Tranfaflions v^ith the embaffy of Nantikoks, &c. 134. Blefled
labors in New Gnadenhuetten, 156, Tranfadions at Bethlehem during th?
war, 177. Returns to Europe, 199.
Spejkirs to the Chiefs, I. 136.
Squirreh, I. 86.
Stanes, I. II.
Straiuberry river, 1. 7.
'Stripes, fuperftitlous notion of, I. 37.
S-turgeous, a boy, efcapes from the murderers on the M.ho.ny, II. 166.
Sugnr boilitigAtict'ihtA, \. 'jZ.
Superior^ lake, defcribed, I. 4.
Sujquebannab x'wtr, l\. ■i^o. Indians on the Sufquehannah vifited, 121. Awak«
ening among them, 124. The Chriftian Indians fend a meffage to them, 229*
Swamps, I. 9.
StuaTJs, I. 90,
Syrod at Oiy, II. 19. At Bethlehem, to which the converted Indians fend a
deputy, 7^. Two held in 1747, joi. At Qo^itopehlil, 108. At Bethlehem^
510, At New Gnadenhuetten, 1^3.
lADEUSKUND, called Gideon in ba; tifm, II. 124. Proves unfaithful, I5»,
Joins Paxnous, 157. Marches to and fro, endeavouring to feduce the believers,
183. Seems to rcfenj, 185. His death at Wajoniick, 203.
feacbers, heathen, I. 35. See Freiickcrs.
^efimfmy borne to the believing Indians, by general Johnfon, HI. 27. By the
Oneida Chief, 27. By a Delaware captain, 98. 121. By the Englifh and
Frf^ncb at Detroit, 206.
Itomai, George, governor of Pennfylvania, II. 82. His great kindnefs to the
Chriftian Indians, 171. 181. 183'. 223.
fhowp^ar,, eL-arles, fccretary of Congrefs, his letter to the miflicnaries, III. 216.
TVai^K, on the Sufquehannah, II, 1:1,
Rebecca, !■ 73>
i:ceUfebig, John, II. 2, "
%K9TjcUtJc!?i, an Indian Chief, II. -$,
T'orfcifif
INDEX. ■ -'
Tortoife, land, I. 89. River, 97.
7orio''fe, lar.'e, name of a tribe of the Delaware nation, I. 1291
Torture inHifted upon prifoners, I. 151.
Tow/ij, Indian, building of, I. 136.
Trade, I. 98^ In rum, deftruftive, 100.
Tra-velling, Indian mode of, I. loi. ^
Trea-y, fmgular treaty of peace between the Iroquois and Dela wares, 1. 125. Treaty
atcempten to be held at Bethlehem, II. 178. Held atEifton, 179. At Lan-
cafter, jSz. AtEafton, 196, Amicable convention, III. 26. Conventioa
held at Pittfburg, 109. Appointed at Gofchacliguenk, 122.
7Vf?j, I. 68, &c. Foreft trees not fpared, 55.
Tfchecfchejuann'mk, a town on the Sufquehannah, III. 36. Miflion eftabli/lied
there, 37, Pleafing courfe, 51. The inhabitants driven away by an inunda-
tion, 67. Invited to fettle on the Mu/kingum, 73. Emigrate, 77.
-Tfchocp, an Indian Chief, II, S. His converfion, 10. Letter to the Brethrrn, i2.
To Count Zinzendorf, 22. To the congregation at Bethkhem, 26. In bap-
tifm called John, 21. His happy deceafe, 93.
TukaJ/us Indians, I. 2. Territory, 3.
Turkeys, wild, I. 90.
Turk'y, name of a tribe of the Delaware nation^ I. 129.
Turtle-do-vej, I. 93- ~
Tujcara-zui river, III. 74.
'tufcaroralnAia.M^l. z. Territory, 3. V'ifited by the Brethren, II. 142. Viiit
Fiiedenshuetten, III. 18.
Tutelai,u\ht of Indian?, vifit Friedenshuetten, III. 18.
Twicbtweei Indians, I, 2, Teriitory, 3.
U, V
VENANGO, river, I. 6, Chriftian Indians propofal to remove to Venang«»
HI. 35.
Vifits of heathen Indians, II. 105.
Vleck, Henry van, 11. 72.
Unami, tribe of the Delaware nation, I. 2-
y&yage of the Indian congregition over Lake Erie, III, 2o8.
Vtky, miflionary, reGdes at Pachgatgoch, II, 181.
W
lyABJSHTlvzT,!.^.
Wachquatnacb, awakening at, II, 15. The Indians obliged to forfake it, 147.
Wajcmick, a town of the Sliawanofe, II. 32. Propofed as a fettlement for the
beiifvers, 80. Entirely forfaken by the Indians, 18 1.
Walhalding, river, III. 104. 128.
Wampanofe, tribe of Indians, vifit Friedenshuetten, III. i8. Join the Huron,
127.
J^jTH^sw, firing of wampom ; belt of wampom, I. 26. Its ufe, 17.
Wangomen, an Indian preacher at Gofchgofchuenk, HI. 23. Lodges the mif-
fionaries, 29. Proves a bitter enemy, 33. Perfecutes the Brethren, 43,
Preaches when drunk, 44. Appointed deputy to the Chriftian Indians, 59.
Goes to Friedenshuetten, 62. Endeavours to feduce the believers at Schoen-
brunn, 105.
War belt, I. 28.
War, mode of carrying on, I. 141. Feaft and dance, 146. With the Catabaws,
II. 107. Sudden breaking out of an Indian war, 164. Scene of war fliifts,
90. Breaks out afrelh, 207. ^ Alarms of war, III. 2. 25, 49. War betweea
the Sennekas and Cberokets, 51;. Rumors of war, 71. Petty wars of the
Indian tribes continue, 93. War breaks out between i.he Virginians and
feveral Indian nations, 93. Bftween Great Britain and her colonies, 109.
INDEX.
Rumors of war dlftrefs the Indian congregations^ 114. Rumor of war h'c^
tween the Americans and Shawanofcj 216.
f^'atfe-vi/k, Johannes von, arrives in America, IT. 112. Vi/its the Sh^wanofe,
&c. 113. And Shekomeko, /i^. Returns to Europe, 11 2, Holds a vifitatiori
in the North American congregations, III, 204. His letter to the Chriftian
Indians, 223.
Wawiachtanos, tribe of Indians, I. 2. Their territory, 3.
Weapo):s, ufed in hunting, I, 75. In war, 141.
tVeafel^ ftifling, or /kunk, I. 85.
Wtber, George, milTionary, II. 24.
Wechquaank haWi, \[. i()2,- Troubles on account of the war, 208. ^orfaken,
212. Burnt by tlie white people, 217.
JVedJiaidt, a ftudent, ftudies the Shawanofe language, II. 154*
W-lapachijchiuhen-, Chief of Alliningk, moves to Licb^nau, III. 112. Kis ad-
. dtefs to the council at Gofchafbgueiik, 130. His baptifm, ib.
Wi!']^,]zco\), conduds the Chriftian Indians, II. 220,
Wciffer, Conrad, interpreter, his account of the Iroq'ioip, II. 5. Accompanies
count Zinzendorf on his travels, 27. 30. His letter to Buettner, 53.
JVefa, miffionary, his dangerous fituation at Shomokin, II. 164.
Wefienhuck.W. i^. Chief of Weftenhuck departs this life happily, 130. De-
puties fent to Weftenhuck, i/io.
tVetterh'ild, captain, II. 208.
Wcvgand, vifitsNew Gnaienhuetten, III. 194. Is appointed miffionary, 222,
White, ^ Chief, II. 135.
White, James, agent of Indian affairs, III. 216.
Jf^/Vf-Tji;, firA Captain of the Delawares, prote£ts the miffions, III. loi. His
declarations and firmnefs, 102. Makes knovi'n to the commiflioners at Pittf-
burg that the Delawares had refolvedto receive the Gofpel, 110. Accufed of
talcing part with the Americans, 115. Procla:ms the laft will of Neta-
■watwees in council, 1 17. Dies o\ the fmall-pox at Pittfburg, 145.
Whitejield, Rev. George, II 6. Brethren fettle on his land, 15. Sells Na-
zarLt^ to the Brethren, 16.
Widoius, manner of treating widows, I. 64.
Wilfon, Mr. afiifts the Chriftian Indians, III. 211.
Wipperivdl, a bird, I. 93.
IVoapjvachky, name given by the Delawares to their own nation, I. 2.
TFslf, tribe of Delav/ares, 1. 129, Enemies of the Gofptl, III. 197.
IVcl'ves, I. 83. Infeft the country about New Gnacenhuetten, III. 202,
tVcman, a name eiven by the Iroquois to the Dela-A-ares, I. 125.
WnKcn, Indian, dei'cribed, I. 12. Seldom v/ant afiMance in child-bearing, 60.
Wcrbtis, miflionary, efcapes from the murderers, 11. 166.
Wer/}}!p, religious, as regulated at Gnadenhuetten and Friedenshuetten, III. 97.
Public woffiiip regulated at Philadelphia, 225. Re-eftablilhed at Pilger-
ruh,III, 211.
WuTiif/aebtikos, tribe of the Delaware nation, I. 92.
Wjor.dats, Jndi^ins, I. 2. Territory, 3. Invite the Chriftian Indians to the
Ohio, III. 63. Wift to take part with the Englifh, 109, ,
ZANDER, William, miffionary, II. 18. Preaches to the Indians, 25.
Ztifoergtr, Djvid, mifiionary, imprifoned at New York, II, 71, Goes to Long
illand, 107. Attends Chief Shikellimus in his laft illnefs, 120. Goes to
Ondndago, 121. To Europe, 124. Returns, and goea again to Onondago,
140. 1^7. 15?, To Wajomick, 163. Efcapes from Gnadenhuf tten, 16S.
Vifits the hiUians at Wajomick, 197. His journey to Machwihilufing, 203.
Recalled to Reihlehem, 207. Accompanies the fugitive congregation to
Province Illand, 2 f 6. Stays with thtm during their confinement, and is ap-
point d to go toiheSuftjuehannah, 231. Goes to Cajugu, III. 6. To Gofch-
gofchuenk on the Ohio, ao. His reception and Gonverfaticns with a Sen-
ne«ka
INDEX,
necka Ch'ef, 2t. Preaches tbe Gofoel at Gjfcligofchuenk, zs. Goes to
ifi{\^e these, j8. if '•erfccuted, 31 Vifiti Zoaeic -> 35. Oppofes the
enemies brWlv, 43. Rf-rires with Ur I'>cli.n congreganon .■:. Lawunakhan-
nek, 44,. Gef 'o P;ttfbi g. 48. Ca'led to a conte-.r^re df Beihiebfm,
64. Tj^vc) at Gpkelemuk.iechuenk, 69. Becomes a irarke ■ rin • ih
the afvcrf.rie? 71 Sur-'f^s the coun'ry .>n 'b^ Muf!:i 7vr\-,,j^ F;x.s on
a fpit t' build fichoenbrunn -4, h'S jouney to i e S.^awanou , ^^. S'cond
journty to the; Shawanofe. 92. Invitefl tr> a'tend a tieaty ot pt <. ■ , but
declines it, log. Leaves Sch.->enbrunn, IZ' . His tranf-^Ctions u t^ hC
Kuron warriors at Lichteiau, 125. Is i' g eat dan^-r of being mu deied,
131;. Returns to ffchoenbrunn. 138. Goer to Be iiehen, 147. R turns
to the Mufkingum, 149. Re.'ufes to far.b-tt'r :han 'is B, e' hren. andis
taken prifoner, 155. His wife ft-ized by a party of fava^e- 15 '. Led
with the congregation to Sandufkv. ]6i. Tn Kort Drtioit, 164. Second
journey to Detroit, 174. During his ftay delii'?rs difco^'rf-^ 'o the unfvncrs,
191. Goes with the Indian congregation to the rv?r Huron, 19a. To
Cayahaga, 207. Settled at Pilgerruh, 215. R.eceives a rneffa^e f, om a De-
laware Chief, 220. From a Captain, 221.
Zeni/ije, Indians at, difturb the behevers, III. S. Will not hear the Gofpel, g,
Zil>et,l.26.
Zinochfaa, river, II. 12T.
Z;na;'«i/of/, count Nicholas Lewis, afliHs the perfecuted fol'ov/ers of Schwenk-
feld, II.2. His inflrudtionsto the miffunaries, 7. Goes to Penn^'ylvama, 19,
His travels among the Indians, 24. Vifits Tulpehokin, 27. M'kes a co-
venant with the Iroquois, 28. Vifits Shekorheko, ib. Goes to Wajo'V'ick,
30, Danger among the Shawanofe, 33. Returns to Eorope, 37. The
Indian congregations lament his deceafe in 1760, 193.
Zon^Jhw, a town of the Senneka'!, IL 122. Council at Zonefhio, their opinioa
infavor of the miffion, III, 36. Chief's angry meffige, 32. 43.
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Initruclion of Youth, in the Congregations of the United Brethren.
Price half-bound 9d.
6. A SucdnSl Fie-iv of the Mtjfions eftabliflied among the Heatheny
by the Church of the Brethren, or Unitas Fratrum. By Benjamin La
Trcbe. Price 6d.
7. A Brief Account of the MiJJlon eftablifaed among the Efquimaua
Indians on the Coaft of Labrador, by the Church of the Brethren,
Price 6d.
8. A Conci/e Hiforical Account of the Prefent ConJUtution of the Unitas
Fratrum, ov Unity o£ the Brethren. Price is.
9. A ColleSiicn of Hymns for the Uf$ of the Protejiant Church of the
United Brethren. Price bound 4s.
-10. Hymns (oT the Ufe oi Children. Price 6d.
II. Hymn Tunesx Sung in the Church oi the Umte<i Brethren, Price
hialf-boumd 8s,-
*\
.n"^- ^
Deacidified using the Bookkeeper process.
Neutralizing agent; IVIagnesium Oxide
Treatment Date: Jan. 2003
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